The timer continued to tick down, each second disappearing with agonizing slowness, as though the System itself were deliberately drawing out the wait to torment him—at least, that was how it felt to Noah.
His peripheral vision caught the violet countdown once more.
〔00:09:46〕
Just great.
For a fleeting moment, Noah wondered if simply asking her for a kiss would actually work.
The thought lasted all of two seconds before common sense kicked in.
Yeah, no. I'd rather go Stephen Hawking in the face than be considered a pervert.
Noah's eyes drifted toward Sage, and for a moment, the countdown ceased to exist. If her earlier reveal had made her look like a runway model, the setting sun seemed determined to take things a step further. Warm, golden light bathed her in a soft, sun-kissed glow, catching in her vibrant red hair and setting the strands ablaze with fiery hues. Against the light, she looked almost otherworldly.
Semidivine.
That was the only word that came to mind.
