Prompt: In this Overboard (1987) parody, Noelle takes advantage of Asta's amnesia to convince him they're a couple—only to suffer the consequences when he becomes an overly affectionate boyfriend, leading to relentless embarrassment, chaotic cohabitation, and an inevitable confession. Request from KenosDC1 on FanFiction.
—
Noelle Silva was losing her mind.
It had been weeks since the Spade War ended—weeks since she'd faced death, defied fate, and stared directly into the abyss of her own feelings. And for what? To come out of it more emotionally constipated than ever.
She had spent months—years—pushing Asta away, calling him names, denying everything her heart screamed at her. But after what they'd been through, after watching him throw himself into battle again and again, after nearly losing him to Lucifero, after the way he gave her the courage to face Megicula when things seemed hopeless…
She had finally accepted it. She loved Asta.
And that realization was ruining her life.
It started small. Minor things. Like how her face would heat up every time Asta so much as breathed in her direction. Or how, in the middle of breakfast, she'd accidentally stare at him, get caught, then choke on her food trying to deny it. Or how she'd been avoiding their usual sparring sessions because sparring meant prolonged eye contact, and that was something she simply could not endure right now.
But as the days passed, it got worse.
She couldn't sleep. Couldn't eat. Every time Asta smiled at her, she felt like she was on the verge of spontaneous combustion. Every time he touched her—even something as innocent as a tap on the shoulder—she felt her entire body short-circuit. She could barely hold a conversation with him without her brain collapsing under the weight of sheer, unbearable romantic tension.
And the worst part?
Asta had no idea.
None.
Not a single shred of awareness that she was in the midst of a full-blown, world-ending crisis over him. He still greeted her the same way, still grinned at her like she was just another one of the guys, still completely oblivious to the fact that she was on the verge of a nervous breakdown because of his stupidly perfect smile and stupidly kind heart and stupidly—
She groaned into her pillow. This was unbearable.
And, of course, the Black Bulls had noticed.
They always noticed.
They just had the wrong idea.
"Yo, Ms. Royalty," Zora said one morning, grinning from ear to ear. "You good? You've been moping around a lot lately."
Magna, chewing on a toothpick, nudged her with his elbow. "Yeah, what's up with you? Feels like you're in some kinda lovesick depression or somethin'."
Noelle nearly spat out her tea. "I—I am not lovesick!"
"Ohhh, so just depressed then?" Vanessa mused, swirling a glass of wine.
"I am not depressed!"
Charmy hummed, stuffing a pastry into her mouth. "Then why do you look so gloomy all the time?"
"I do not look gloomy!"
"You totally do," Grey whispered apologetically.
Gordon murmured something in agreement, but, as usual, no one heard him.
Finral, ever the self-proclaimed romance expert, leaned forward with a knowing look. "Ah, I get it now. You're suffering from unrequited love."
Noelle's entire body locked up.
"Wh-What are you talking about?! I don't—I—Shut up!"
"Oh, she's totally in love," Vanessa smirked.
"Hopelessly," Finral agreed.
"Who's the lucky guy?" Magna grinned. "Wait, lemme guess—"
BOOM.
A geyser of water erupted from Noelle's hand, sending half the squad flying. The rest barely dodged the splash zone, retreating with gleeful cackles.
"SHUT UP! SHUT UP! SHUT UUUUP!"
Laughter echoed through the hideout as the Black Bulls scattered, leaving Noelle seething.
She buried her face in her hands, groaning.
This was hell. Absolute hell.
And to make matters worse, Captain Yami, in his infinite wisdom, had just assigned her to a joint mission with Asta.
Alone.
Just the two of them.
—
The Grand Magic Region they were exploring was nothing special. Just another newly discovered land filled with ominous-looking cliffs, random mana beasts, and inexplicable floating rocks. A normal Tuesday, really.
Noelle had been determined—determined—to keep things professional. They were on a mission. There was no time for ridiculous emotions.
And yet.
Here she was, trailing behind Asta, watching his back muscles flex as he effortlessly cut down a magic beast, heart pounding out of her chest like a lovestruck fool.
Why does he have to look so—so—
No. No distractions. Focus.
She inhaled sharply, tearing her gaze away.
They made their way up a rocky incline, navigating loose terrain. Asta, ever the reckless idiot, was ahead of her, moving way too fast.
"Hey, slow down!" Noelle called.
But, of course, he didn't listen.
"Asta, I swear if you—"
Then it happened.
One wrong step.
One loose rock.
One moment of pure, unfiltered disaster.
Asta's foot slipped. His arms flailed.
And before Noelle could react—before she could even process the sheer inevitability of what was about to happen—
Asta plummeted.
Straight down.
Headfirst.
Right into a jagged, ominous-looking boulder.
CRACK.
The sound made Noelle's stomach drop.
"Asta!"
She rushed down, panic seizing her chest. He was sprawled on the ground, motionless, a nasty bruise forming on his forehead.
Oh, shit.
Noelle's heart pounded as she knelt beside him, shaking him gently.
"Asta? Hey! Wake up!"
Nothing.
Her panic doubled.
"Oh, for the love of—" She hesitated, then, with absolutely no dignity left, she lightly smacked his face. "Wake up, you idiot!"
He stirred.
A weak groan left his lips. Then, slowly, his eyes fluttered open.
Noelle exhaled in relief. "Thank goodness—"
And then Asta spoke.
"...Who are you?"
Silence.
Cold. Deafening. Suffocating.
Noelle stared.
Her breath hitched.
Her entire world screeched to a halt.
And then—just as her soul was about to leave her body—Asta frowned, deep in thought.
"Wait… I remember something."
Noelle's heart clenched. "You do?"
"Yeah." His gaze met hers, eyes serious. "My name is Asta."
She blinked. "...Okay. And?"
"And…" He paused. His brows furrowed in concentration. "...Noelle."
The way he said it—soft, certain, like she was the only thing that existed—sent an earthquake through her chest.
He remembers me?
Noelle swallowed. Hard.
This was bad.
This was very bad.
Because Asta had forgotten everything else.
And the only thing he remembered—
Was her.
—
Noelle stared at Asta. Asta stared back.
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
The wind howled through the rocky landscape, kicking up dust and loose gravel. Somewhere in the distance, a mana beast growled, but Noelle barely registered it. Her heart was hammering too loudly in her ears.
She must have misheard him.
"You… remember me?" she repeated cautiously.
Asta nodded, his face serious. "Yeah. Noelle."
Noelle waited.
Asta continued staring at her.
"...And?" she prompted.
He blinked. "That's it."
Silence.
Noelle's stomach plummeted. "That's it? What do you mean that's it?!"
Asta scratched his head, frowning. "I mean, I know my name is Asta, and I know you're Noelle, but… everything else is kinda… fuzzy."
He gestured vaguely around him. "Like, where are we? And uh… who am I exactly?"
Noelle felt her soul leave her body.
This was a joke. It had to be a joke. There was no way—
But no. The pure, genuine confusion on Asta's face said it all.
Oh my god. He actually lost his memories.
Her hands clenched into fists. "Of course this would happen," she muttered under her breath. "Of course that idiot would fall, hit his head, and develop amnesia like this is some ridiculous romance novel!"
"Uh, Noelle?"
She flinched. Asta was watching her expectantly, waiting for her to say something.
Think. She needed to think.
This was bad. This was so bad.
She should take him to a healer. Maybe Marx could help restore his memories. Maybe Captain Yami would—
A thought struck her so suddenly that her entire body went rigid.
He didn't remember anything.
Not the Black Bulls. Not the Magic Knights.
And most importantly…
Not Sister Lily.
Noelle's breath caught in her throat.
For the first time since she'd fallen for Asta, she wasn't competing with an unattainable woman from his past.
For the first time, there was no one else in his heart but her.
A spark of something—something dangerous—flashed through her mind.
She could lie.
She could tell Asta anything right now, and he'd believe her.
She could tell him they were already together.
The idea was absurd. Outrageous.
And yet…
It tempted her.
The thought of skipping past the awkward confessions, the rejection she feared, the embarrassment, the pain of watching him choose someone else—
She could avoid all of it.
For once, Asta would look at her the way she looked at him.
Just for a little while.
Just until his memories came back.
She swallowed hard, trying to shove the thought away.
No. That's horrible. That's dishonest. I can't—I shouldn't—
"Do it."
A low voice whispered in her ear.
Noelle stiffened.
She turned her head slowly—and there, floating just beside Asta's shoulder, was Liebe.
The tiny devil was lounging in midair, arms crossed, watching the scene unfold with great interest.
"L-Liebe?!" Noelle sputtered. "What are you—"
Liebe's red eyes gleamed. "I saw everything. Heard everything. And I have to say, Princess…" He grinned, sharp and knowing. "...I like the way you think."
Noelle's face burned. "I wasn't thinking anything!"
"Sure you weren't," Liebe drawled, smirking.
Asta, still seated on the ground, looked between them, utterly confused. "Uh… Am I missing something? …And who are you anyway?"
Liebe ignored him. "Look, I have no personal stake in this—except for the fact that I desperately want my brother to move on from that damn nun. And you?" He tilted his head. "You want him to love you, don't you?"
Noelle flinched. "I— that's none of your business!"
Liebe floated closer, lowering his voice. "Listen. You could be a good person and tell him the truth right now. Take him to that mushroom head. Restore his memories. Let him go back to chasing after someone who will never love him back."
Noelle's hands trembled.
"Or…" Liebe's smirk widened. "You could do what we both know you want to do."
Noelle clenched her jaw.
She wanted to punch him. She really wanted to punch him.
Because he was right.
She was weak.
She was selfish.
She wanted this.
Just for a little while.
Just until his memories came back.
Just to see what it felt like.
Liebe chuckled, already sensing her resolve crumbling. "Well, Princess? What's it gonna be?"
Noelle hesitated.
Then, slowly, she turned to Asta.
He was watching her patiently, eyes warm, trusting, innocent.
Forgive me for this.
She took a deep breath—
And smiled.
"Asta," she said gently, reaching for his hand. "You don't have to worry. You're safe with me."
Asta blinked, looking at their joined hands. "I… I am?"
She squeezed his fingers, ignoring the guilt twisting in her gut. "Of course. You and I… we've been together for a long time."
Asta's eyes widened. "We have?"
She forced a soft laugh. "Yes, you big idiot. You're my boyfriend."
Asta gasped. "Wait, really?!"
Noelle nodded, keeping her expression as calm as possible despite the fact that internally, she was screaming.
Liebe, hovering nearby, cackled.
Asta's face lit up with pure, unfiltered joy.
"Noelle! That's amazing!"
Before she could react, he suddenly lunged forward and wrapped her in the tightest, warmest, most affectionate hug she had ever received in her life.
Noelle choked on her own breath. "Wh—Asta?!"
"You're my girlfriend!" he said excitedly, squeezing her tighter. "That means I love you, right?"
Noelle made a strangled noise.
Liebe was dying of laughter in the background.
This was a mistake.
This was an absolute mistake.
And it was only going to get worse.
Because now, they had to go back to the Black Bulls—
As a couple.
Noelle's horror grew tenfold.
She had just dug her own grave.
—
Noelle had made a grave mistake.
A terrible, humiliating, inescapable mistake.
The moment they returned to the Black Bulls' hideout, everything spiraled out of control.
It started the second they stepped inside.
"YOOOO, THEY'RE BACK!"
The usual chaos of the Black Bulls instantly halted at the sound of Luck's excited yell. Within seconds, a stampede of idiots rushed into the main hall, everyone gathering to see them. Noelle barely had time to brace herself before she was swarmed.
"Hey, you're both still alive!" Magna grinned, slapping Asta's back hard enough to nearly knock him over. "Nice work, kid!"
"What happened out there?" Finral asked curiously, eyes flitting between the two of them.
Vanessa leaned against the bar, swirling a glass of wine. "Noelle, you look like you've seen a ghost."
Noelle opened her mouth to respond—
And then, before she could stop him, Asta grabbed her hand and beamed.
"Guys! You won't believe it—Noelle's my girlfriend!"
Silence.
Dead.
Complete.
Silence.
Noelle's soul left her body.
Every single Black Bull member froze.
Even Captain Yami—who had just walked in with a fresh cigarette—stopped mid-puff, eye twitching as he processed Asta's words.
Then—
Then it happened.
The laughter.
A howling, uproarious explosion of laughter erupted from the entire squad.
"WHA—" Noelle sputtered, face erupting into flames.
"Oh my GOD!" Vanessa wheezed, nearly spilling her drink. "Are you serious?!"
Luck collapsed onto the floor, kicking his legs. "HA! HAHAHA! I CAN'T—"
Magna was on the ground, pounding his fist against the floor.
Even Grey, sweet, shy Grey, had her hands over her mouth, giggling.
Even the stoic, dark and gloomy pale-skinned duo that was their anti-bird and vice captain seemed like they were doing their best to suppress a smile.
And failing horribly at it.
Noelle's embarrassment exploded. "WHAT THE HELL IS SO FUNNY?!"
Finral, barely able to breathe, wiped a tear from his eye. "Oh, Noelle. We love you, but you confessing first?! This is comedy gold."
"I DIDN'T CONFESS!"
"Oh?" Vanessa smirked. "So Asta confessed?"
Noelle's eye twitched violently.
Liebe, still floating beside Asta, was snickering. "Oh, trust me. She confessed first."
"I DID NOT—!"
"Wait, wait!" Gordon's quiet voice somehow cut through the chaos. He turned to Asta, expression eerily serious. "Are you… really together?"
Asta nodded with absolute certainty. "Yeah! Noelle told me so!"
The mockery in the room tripled.
"NOELLE TOLD YOU SO?!" Magna died.
"OH MY GOD, SHE TOTALLY LIED TO HIM!" Luck shrieked.
"SHUT UP!" Noelle practically exploded, smacking Luck in the face with a full-powered water fist.
Luck crashed into a table.
"Captain," Vanessa wheezed, clutching her sides, "Do you—do you know what this means?"
Yami exhaled a puff of smoke. "That my idiots are getting together? Yeah, yeah. Took 'em long enough."
Finral was still crying. "Noelle willingly put herself in a relationship with Asta! Do you understand what that means?!"
"SHE CAN'T BACK OUT NOW!"
More laughter.
Noelle wanted the earth to swallow her whole.
She turned to Asta, begging him with her eyes to stop talking, but he was just standing there, looking at everyone with the brightest, most genuine smile on his face.
He wasn't embarrassed at all.
In fact—
He was proud.
Like he was thrilled to tell the whole world that they were together.
Noelle's heart skipped.
She tore her gaze away, pressing a hand to her chest. Don't fall for it, don't fall for it, don't fall for it—
And then—
It got worse.
It started small.
Little things.
Like Asta taking her hand everywhere they went.
Like Asta casually pulling her onto his lap during meetings, as if it were normal.
Like Asta feeding her during dinner, completely oblivious to the snickering from the squad.
And Noelle, stupid, stupid Noelle, was too terrified to correct him, too afraid that one wrong word would shatter the illusion.
So she played along.
And it backfired spectacularly.
Because Asta, fully believing they were a couple, took every possible opportunity to show her affection.
Like buying her gifts.
Like brushing her hair.
Like snuggling up beside her on the couch, resting his head on her shoulder, breathing her in.
Noelle malfunctioned.
Every time she tried to act normal, Asta escalated.
And the Black Bulls loved it.
"Oi, Noelle," Yami called one afternoon. "Go make your boyfriend some tea."
"Oi, Noelle," Magna grinned. "Your boyfriend looks sleepy. Tuck him in!"
"Oi, Noelle," Finral smirked. "Your boyfriend's all sweaty. Maybe you should help him change?"
The jokes. The teasing. The constant, never-ending embarrassment.
Noelle was dying.
But it reached a breaking point one evening—
When Asta kissed her.
It was just a peck.
Just a light, fleeting kiss against her cheek.
But it was in front of everyone.
Right in the middle of dinner.
Noelle froze.
The Black Bulls lost their minds.
Vanessa screamed.
Luck howled.
Magna threw his chair.
Finral fainted.
Gordon whispered something—probably a blessing for their "happy marriage."
Liebe collapsed into a fit of laughter.
And Noelle?
She fled.
She sprinted out of the dining hall, locked herself in her room, and screamed into her pillow for a full hour.
She had made a mistake.
A terrible, humiliating, irrevocable mistake.
And there was no going back now.
—
Noelle had somehow survived the public humiliation of being Asta's so-called girlfriend, but now she faced an even bigger crisis—
She had to live with him.
And it was all because of one stupid, ridiculous, absolutely moronic misunderstanding.
It all started when Asta, ever the thoughtful and affectionate fake boyfriend, made an innocent observation at dinner.
"You know, Noelle, I think we should live together!"
Noelle had just taken a sip of water.
She choked.
"WH-WHAT?!"
Asta beamed, completely oblivious to her immediate, violent reaction. "I mean, we're dating, right? It just makes sense! Most couples live together!"
BANG.
Vanessa, who had been drinking, slammed her glass down. "Ohhhh, now this is getting good."
Luck perked up. "You guys aren't already living together?"
"Oi, that's true," Magna smirked, leaning forward. "Shouldn't lovebirds share a room?"
Noelle, still gasping for air, turned frantically to Captain Yami, her last hope.
"CAPTAIN! TELL THEM THIS IS STUPID!"
Yami, as always, was completely unbothered. "Eh? What's the problem?" He exhaled a puff of smoke. "You two are together, right?"
Noelle's entire brain short-circuited.
"SO?! THAT DOESN'T MEAN—"
"Well, if you're not willing to live together," Finral grinned wickedly, "maybe you're not as serious about this relationship as Asta is?"
The entire squad oooohed in unison.
Noelle's face went white.
Then red.
Then violently red.
Asta turned to her, eyes wide, looking genuinely concerned. "Noelle? You do want to live with me, right?"
He looked so earnest. So innocent. So completely unaware that he was killing her.
Noelle clenched her jaw.
If she refused, everyone would think she was backing out of the relationship.
She couldn't let that happen.
Not after everything she'd done to keep up this ridiculous act.
So, with all the dignity she had left, she forced herself to nod.
And that's how she ended up in Asta's room.
———
The moment Noelle stepped inside, she regretted everything.
Asta's room was—
Well.
It smelled like Asta.
That clean, fresh scent, mixed with just a hint of sweat from his constant training. It was everywhere.
Noelle froze, staring at the bed.
The single bed.
Her heart stopped.
"I can take the floor!" Asta offered cheerfully, tossing his shirt aside.
THUMP.
Noelle immediately turned away, slamming her hands over her eyes. "WHY ARE YOU TAKING YOUR SHIRT OFF?!"
Asta blinked. "Oh, uh… I always sleep shirtless?"
Noelle internally screamed.
No. No, no, no, no, NO.
She refused to sleep in the same room as a half-naked Asta.
She had to get out.
NOW.
"YOU KNOW WHAT?!" she blurted, spinning on her heel. "I JUST REMEMBERED! I LEFT SOMETHING IN MY OLD ROOM! I'LL GO—"
Click.
Noelle's breath hitched.
She turned back slowly.
Asta was holding the door handle.
And it was locked.
"Why is the door locked?" she asked very carefully.
Asta smiled. "Oh! Captain Yami told me to lock it. He said, and I quote, 'A couple that sleeps together stays together, so no chickening out, brat.'"
Noelle broke.
Her entire body shook with rage. "THAT BASTARD—!"
BANG!
She punched the door.
It didn't budge.
She tried to kick it down.
Nothing.
She was trapped.
With Asta.
For the whole night.
Noelle slowly turned back around.
Asta was already in bed, smiling at her, looking so relaxed.
"Come on, Noelle!" He patted the space next to him. "It's just sleeping! No big deal, right?"
Noelle did not move.
Did not breathe.
Did not function.
Asta tilted his head. "Noelle?"
Noelle despised herself.
Because despite her overwhelming mortification—
Despite knowing this was all built on a lie—
Despite wanting to scream into her pillow—
Her body moved on its own.
And before she knew it—
She was climbing into bed.
———
And then the morning came.
Noelle woke up to warmth.
To something solid pressed against her back.
To the weight of an arm wrapped around her waist.
Her breath hitched.
She froze.
And then—
She realized.
She was spooning with Asta.
Noelle's entire soul shattered.
Her brain refused to process the situation.
Asta's breath was warm against her neck.
His chest was pressed against her back.
His hand was gripping her waist.
And worst of all—
She liked it.
Her face exploded into color.
She could not—would not—let him wake up and see her like this.
She had to move.
Slowly, very slowly, she tried to wiggle free—
Asta groaned in his sleep.
And then—
He tightened his grip.
Noelle stopped breathing.
And then—
Asta nuzzled into her hair.
Noelle died.
Her brain shut down completely.
Abort mission. Abort mission. Abort mission.
She tried again—wiggling, shifting, anything—
And then Asta mumbled in his sleep.
And what did he say?
"Love you, Noelle…"
Noelle. Imploded.
She screamed.
She threw him off the bed.
Asta crashed onto the floor.
And that was how she started the day:
By nearly murdering her fake boyfriend.
And this was only the beginning.
—
Asta changed in front of her constantly, utterly unbothered. Shirt off, pants off, standing there like it was the most natural thing in the world. And Noelle—if she wanted to keep up the illusion—had to act just as unfazed. She had to force herself to stay still, to keep her gaze from darting away, to suppress the screaming urge to turn around and give him privacy.
She had to return the favor, too.
It was only fair, after all. Couples were supposed to be comfortable with each other.
Which meant changing in front of him.
Which meant he'd seen her.
All of her.
And she—saints help her—had seen all of him.
That alone was bad enough.
But it got worse.
Because at some point, she had felt him, too.
The Black Bulls were menaces. Absolute devils in human skin. They had shoved the idea into Asta's head that couples bathe together. And, of course, being the gullible, affectionate idiot that he was, Asta had fully embraced it.
Which was why Noelle had ended up in the bath with him—multiple times.
Water up to their shoulders. Steam curling in the air.
And Asta's hands—his broad, calloused, ridiculously strong hands—moving over her bare skin.
Rubbing. Lathering. Massaging.
Touching her everywhere.
Her arms, her shoulders, her waist.
Her mounds.
Casually. Naturally. Like it was nothing.
It was torture.
Pure, slow-burning torture.
What was worse…
Noelle loved how it felt.
His rough palms gliding over her body.
Her fingers, traitorous and curious, brushing over his god-like physique—his toned arms, his sculpted chest, the hard ridges of his abdomen.
Her only saving grace was that Asta never expected her to wash his lower half.
Nor did he touch her there.
Maybe it was out of decency. Maybe embarrassment. Noelle wasn't sure.
But the way his ears burned whenever his hands lingered too long on her figure—whenever his eyes dipped and he caught a glimpse of her exposed skin—
It gave her some solace.
Asta wasn't entirely immune to her.
Not entirely dense.
The embarrassment didn't go just one way.
—
Noelle had survived weeks of pure, agonizing embarrassment.
She had survived Asta's constant affectionate gestures—holding hands, feeding her, brushing her hair.
She had survived cohabitation—sharing a bed, waking up to his bare chest, having grown used to taking in his entirety with her eyes.
She had survived being felt up by him and returning the favor.
She had survived the Black Bulls' endless teasing. The winks from Vanessa. The smug grins from Magna and Luck. The knowing looks from Yami.
But this—
This was where she drew the line.
Because Asta…
Asta thought she wanted to make love to him.
And he was ready to do it.
———
It started off innocent.
Asta had taken her out to a date—a real one this time, with dinner and everything.
Noelle had actually enjoyed it.
Asta, as always, was warm, thoughtful, and completely obsessed with her.
The entire night, he kept grinning at her. Holding her hand. Stroking her cheek.
And Noelle—damn her traitorous heart—had actually liked it.
For the first time since this stupid mess started, she let herself relax.
She let herself pretend—just for one night—that this was real.
That Asta loved her. That she deserved him.
That she wasn't living a lie.
So, when they returned home—both of them standing in front of their shared room—Noelle felt something in her chest tighten.
She looked at Asta.
And then—
She saw it.
That look in his eyes.
That warm, devoted, absolutely smitten look.
And then he smiled—so soft, so gentle—
And said, "Noelle… I think I'm ready."
Noelle blinked. "For what?"
Asta rubbed the back of his head. His ears turned pink. "You know…"
He glanced at the bed.
Then back at her.
Noelle's stomach plummeted.
It hit her like a freight train.
Asta.
Asta thought she wanted to—
SWEET. SAINTS.
Noelle's entire body locked up.
Her throat went dry.
She couldn't breathe.
Asta, completely misreading her suffocating panic, took a step closer.
"I mean," he continued, voice softer, "we are together. And I love you more than anything, Noelle." His face was so earnest. So sincere. "And you love me too, right?"
Noelle's heart stopped.
She tried to speak.
Tried to say something.
But she couldn't.
Because she had lied.
Because she had tricked him.
Because Asta was ready to give her everything, and she had done nothing to deserve it.
She had to stop this.
Now.
Before she ruined everything.
———
The confession spilled out of her all at once.
"ASTA, WE'RE NOT REALLY DATING!"
Silence.
The words hung in the air.
Asta blinked.
Then frowned. "What?"
Noelle felt sick.
Her entire body was shaking.
"I—I lied!" she choked out. "I lied to you! You lost your memories, and I—I was too much of a coward to confess, so I told you we were dating, and everyone went along with it, and I—" She squeezed her eyes shut. "I tricked you."
Asta stared.
He didn't speak.
Didn't move.
And Noelle—
Noelle felt something inside her crumble.
She clenched her fists. Forced her voice to steady.
"You can hate me," she whispered. "I deserve it. But I'll take you to Marx right now. He can restore your memories, and—"
"Noelle."
She flinched.
Asta's voice was calm.
Too calm.
Slowly, she forced herself to look at him.
He was watching her.
Expression unreadable.
And then, after a long, long pause, he said:
"You really love me that much?"
Noelle staggered.
Her breath caught.
And then, before she could stop it, the words came spilling out.
"OF COURSE I DO, YOU IDIOT!" she shouted, fists clenched, chest heaving. "I've been in love with you for YEARS! But I was too much of a coward to say anything! And then you lost your memories, and—and I thought, if I told you we were together, maybe I wouldn't have to hear you reject me, and—"
Her voice broke.
She lowered her gaze.
"I know it was selfish. And I know you hate me now, but—"
Asta laughed.
Noelle froze.
"What—"
And then, before she could process it—
Asta grabbed her.
Spun her around.
And pinned her against the wall.
Noelle's brain exploded.
Asta's face was so close. His arms caged her in. His eyes—
His eyes were burning.
Her heart stopped.
"A-Asta—"
"You love me?" he murmured.
Noelle swallowed.
She was going to die.
Asta's lips curved into a grin.
"Good."
Then he kissed her.
Noelle's entire body ignited.
It wasn't soft.
It wasn't gentle.
It was hungry. Desperate. Overwhelming.
Noelle shattered.
She grabbed him. Pulled him closer.
And in that moment—
She forgot everything.
Forgot the lie.
Forgot the shame.
Forgot the fear.
All that mattered was Asta.
His warmth.
His lips.
His love.
And then—
Marx, standing in the doorway, cleared his throat.
"Ahem."
Noelle and Asta whipped around.
Marx stared at them.
Expression beyond exhausted.
"If you two are done," he sighed, "can I restore his memories now?"
Silence.
Noelle's entire face burned.
Asta blinked.
Then grinned.
And—
He slammed the door in Marx's face.
Noelle had gotten what she wanted for weeks—Asta's love, his affection, his undivided attention.
But now…
Now, it was his turn.
Because Asta wanted something, too.
Asta wanted her.
Not just as his partner. Not just as his so-called girlfriend.
He wanted to make love to her.
And once again—just like before—Noelle found herself with no choice but to go along with it.
Only this time…
She wanted to.
Desperately.