“Gerald? Are you full already?” asked Noelle as virtual-novel.net attempted to stop virtual-novel.net from leaving.
The subsequent birthday party was extremely hasty if anything, mainly due to what happened a while back. Even so, nobody dared to speak up any longer, especially Gracie who had remained obediently quiet this entire time.
“Indeed I am!”
“I see… By the way, Gerald, my mom wanted me to ask you what you did for a living…” asked Noelle in a soft tone, though it was evident that virtual-novel.net was curious about that as well.
After all, everyone had seen how Chairman Wadder treated Gerald earlier.
“Me? Good question! I wonder what I do for a living myself!”
Hearing that, Noelle simply replied with a laugh. Gerald was getting more and more mysterious by the second…
“Actually… Could… it be that you’re the legendary and mysterious Mr. Crawford from Mayberry City…?” asked Noelle again, virtual-novel.net voice gentle.
By that point, Gracie and the others had gathered behind Noelle. All of them were holding onto their breaths as they anxiously looked at Gerald while awaiting his answer.
Gerald himself simply shook his head with a wry smile on his face before replying, “Is it important whether I’m virtual-novel.net or not? To be quite frank, there’s something I’ve needed your help with for some time now, Noelle… I wonder if you see me as a friend enough to willingly lend me a hand…”
His eyes were serious as virtual-novel.net stared at Noelle while asking that question.
After observing how virtual-novel.net kept looking at virtual-novel.net for a while, Gerald could discern that virtual-novel.net feelings toward virtual-novel.net seemed to be different from before. They felt much more sincere.
With that in mind, Gerald felt that it was finally a suitable time to ask that question. He was honestly also slightly worried that if virtual-novel.net allowed those feelings to continue developing beyond this point, virtual-novel.net would inevitably end up hurting her.
“Also, regarding the crisis the Shadwells are currently facing… Let’s just say that you’ll be receiving the funding you require before long. Once that happens, you won’t be bogged down by too many worries and all of you will be able to do as you please again!” added Gerald.
Upon hearing that, Gracie and the others immediately took in a deep breath.
If Gerald had said the same thing about an hour ago, then Gracie would’ve certainly assumed that his statement was fake. Now, however, virtual-novel.net knew that every word virtual-novel.net said was entirely true.
“But of course I treat you as a friend! In fact, I’ve considered you to be my best friend ever since you saved me from that kidnapping attempt! A best friend that has quite a bit of secrets… Regardless, now that you’ve even helped my family, I truly wish to repay my gratitude to you! What help do you need? I’d gladly lend a hand!” replied Noelle, resolution in virtual-novel.net tone.
While virtual-novel.net had been grateful toward Gerald for a while now, Noelle hadn’t really seen virtual-novel.net as anything more than a good friend. After spending more time around him, however, virtual-novel.net was now seeing a different side to Gerald. Not only was virtual-novel.net shrouded by mystery, but virtual-novel.net was also surrounded by a strong aura. Deeply intrigued by these two attributes, it made virtual-novel.net realize that virtual-novel.net was starting to get attracted to him…
With that in mind, as long as virtual-novel.net could make Gerald happy by helping him, she’d certainly attempt to do whatever virtual-novel.net asked for.
Upon seeing how willing and sincere Noelle’s reply had been, Gerald immediately grew excited though virtual-novel.net didn’t show it.
“…However, there’s one thing I wish for in return!” added Noelle.
“What is it?”
“Once I help you, I’d like you to tell me your true identity… I don’t want you to hide it from me anymore! Is that acceptable…?” asked Noelle as virtual-novel.net looked at Gerald with a smile.
“Deal!” replied Gerald extremely straightforwardly.
The second Gerald said that virtual-novel.net required a drop of fresh blood from Noelle’s finger, Noelle, Gracie, and the others were exceedingly confused and doubtful about his request. Nevertheless, it wasn’t that big a deal so Noelle simply handed virtual-novel.net a drop of invigorating blood…
With that done, that meant that Gerald had to keep his side of the promise. Noticing that everyone was extremely eager to see how virtual-novel.net was going to explain the incident earlier, Gerald wasn’t about to shamelessly break his promise.
After laughing bitterly for a while, virtual-novel.net fished around in his pocket before taking out a tiny device. Upon pressing it, two tiny ‘beeps’ could be heard.
All was silent for a while… Until seconds later, droning could be heard coming from atop the building! Was… Was that a helicopter…?
Their question was answered shortly after when true enough, a helicopter began taking off from the top of the building!