An Extra’s POV

"Shouldn't you be in a hurry? You have to pick up some people, right?"

Esme's voice echoed in Rey's ears as they neared their Inn. Despite hearing it, Rey hardly reacted or changed the steady pace at which he walked.

"It's fine." He simply responded. "I sent a Duplicate a while back."

"R-really? I didn't notice!" Esme expressed surprise, to which Rey chuckled and shrugged.

"Yeah. I did it pretty quickly. Hid it well too."

With his wide array of Skills, it wasn't a difficult thing to do. In any case, the only reason he was able to talk to Noah for so long despite his busy schedule was due to that arrangement.

"I wanted to pick them up myself, but I guess plans change." He smiled softly, shrugging again.

Something about the atmosphere felt moody for some reason. Rey didn't even know why, but he suddenly felt a lull within him.

Perhaps a moment of silence was what he needed.

"Friend of yours?" Unfortunately, Esme wouldn't let him have that.

"Yeah. You could say that."

Rey didn't think he treated Noah as well as he should have treated a friend, but he genuinely considered him one.

After all, he was the first and only person who he revealed his secret to.

"Has he seen your face behind the mask?" Esme's question made Rey laugh a little.

He replied still.

"For him, and the people we had in common, the mask was my secret."

It was pretty ironic how the opposite was true for Esme. Regardless, he could say that Noah was the only one who knew both sides pretty well.

'Back then, I didn't think Ralyks would up playing such a big role. If I had known that, would I still have exposed my identity to him?'

Rey wasn't sure. All he knew was that Noah was incredibly useful at the time, and it would have been difficult to achieve the things he was able to without his help.

Difficult, not impossible.

your secret is

What

talks too much." Her response was blunt, but the smile on her face showed

that, but he

Besides, I could always compel him

bet, right?" It felt like Esme was driving at something, but Rey wasn't in the mood

he ignored the subtexts that existed underneath

go that far. I plan on coming clean to

have to do with this

identity being exposed is because I don't want them—no,

but thankfully the nearby lights that

He appeared tired.

secrets. It's also going to get problematic explaining why Ralyks won't participate in

"You mean 'your' power."

know what I mean…" Rey sighed in

better for everyone if I just told them the truth. I don't want to limit my strength

and smiling at him, so he quickly added something else. "That doesn't mean I'll show

"C-come on!"

You look cute when you pout

can't say the same about you since I

won't be cute." Rey shrugged.

obviously very deflated after hearing what Rey said. She clearly didn't want to push too much, and Rey really liked

friend he was talking about, that was you, right?" As usual, Esme changed

she was so skilled at conversing, but he liked that

to be honest." He laughed slightly, staring high into the starless sky. "I didn't

"…"

to remain silent, allowing Rey to soak in the quietness around

really wanted to tell him, you know? I wanted to tell him that I was Rey, his friend

"So why didn't you?"

his ears, Rey parted his

nicely, and this new life suits him. I think… if I showed up like this—out of the blue—it might sort

"I see…"

"Yeah…"

of them remained still, Rey looking at the blank sky while Esme stared

for an unknown period

But, someone finally spoke.