Hozuki Nozomi sent his agreement to meet Asaka Mayama. He found himself genuinely intrigued by this 'Sasanqua'—a girl who played at being a delinquent but whose core was startlingly pure and tsundere. The prospect of getting closer to her held a definite, mischievous appeal.
Yet, as he looked at his mental schedule, a wry sense of déjà vu washed over him. His afternoon was fast becoming a logistical puzzle. He had promised to take Yukino home—ostensibly to spend quality time together (though a more specific, intimate agenda hovered unspoken). He needed to 'discuss serious manga matters' (a thinly veiled euphemism for teasing) with Eriri Spencer Sawamura. And now, this meeting with Sasanqua.
He felt himself swiftly ascending to the rank of Time Management Grandmaster.
This burgeoning complexity reinforced a conviction he'd long held: it was absolutely essential for the various important young women in his life to be aware of each other's existence.
More than that, they needed to find a way to coexist harmoniously.
This wasn't just for his own convenience; it would create opportunities for them to build relationships with each other, forging a unique kind of family. And with his own considerable energy and dedication, he was confident he could ensure none of the girls he cared for ever felt neglected.
....
Upon receiving his affirmative reply, a wave of pure, unadulterated joy washed over Asaka Mayama. Her small circle of friends, witnessing her radiant smile, shared in her happiness. But elation quickly gave way to a flutter of anxiety. What should she wear? How should she present herself?
As she agonized, her friend Ishihara Keiko offered decisive counsel. "Sasanqua, you should dye your hair back to its natural black. Go back to your original, pure look. Look at someone like Kusami Runa—that fresh, clean style is really appealing. Dressing like a 'gyaru' might just make boys hesitate or misunderstand you."
Sasanqua latched onto the advice with desperate gratitude. It made perfect sense! She immediately excused herself from her next class, her mission clear: a salon appointment to erase the artificial blonde and reclaim her true self.
…
Back at school, Hozuki Nozomi was about to send the promised text to Yukino, crafting a plausible reason for her to slip away, when a presence materialized softly behind him.
"Hozuki Nozomi… do you require assistance?"
The voice was a gentle, honeyed melody. He turned to find Gabriel looking up at him, her large, celestial eyes filled with earnest concern.
Since the incident where she had 'purified' him, the halo floating invisibly above Gabriel's head had gained a noticeable increase in luminance and stability. The 'performance points' she'd earned from aiding him had been staggering—comparable to helping hundreds of grandmothers cross busy streets!
Consequently, the moment classes ended, Gabriel had sought him out. Improving her celestial performance metrics was directly tied to her heavenly allowance for the following month; she could not afford to be lax.
Seeing her, Hozuki Nozomi was momentarily taken aback, then a warm fondness spread through him. This adorable angel could truly be considered his personal goddess of fortune. Her intervention had purged the lingering side effects of the Demon Dragon's blood, granting him a stable Divine Dragon physique and a significant boost in strength.
Observing Gabriel's expectant, hopeful expression, Hozuki Nozomi expertly molded his own features into a mask of troubled contemplation. "Actually, yes, Gabriel. I find myself facing a rather delicate problem that specifically requires a girl's help."
"What is it? I can help!" Gabriel's eyes sparkled instantly. She stepped closer, taking his hand in both of hers with gentle urgency. "Please, tell me your troubles! I will most certainly aid you!"
At this point in time, Gabriel had not yet been corrupted into a NEET-ish, fallen angel by the endless stream of earthly internet junk. Her desire to help others and spread happiness was genuine.
Moreover, performing good deeds directly enhanced the efficiency of her angelic halo, which in turn elevated her celestial rank. The path to becoming an Archangel required a mountain of meritorious service, so Gabriel was exceedingly motivated to solve Hozuki Nozomi's problems.
Faced with the sheer, unadulterated sincerity in her gaze, Hozuki Nozomi felt a faint, fleeting pang of guilt for the deception he was about to weave. But it was swiftly quashed by a more pragmatic thought: If Gabriel is destined to 'fall' later due to earthly vices, I'll never have another chance like this to be close to her in her pure state. Therefore, his current actions weren't exploitation—they were preservation! A way to cherish the angelic Gabriel before the world changed her.
Thus, his conscience clear (by his own unique logic), Hozuki Nozomi adopted an expression of grave earnestness. "It's like this, Gabriel. My girlfriend… she says I'm too clumsy. That I don't even know how to give a proper hug that makes her feel cherished. She's… talking about breaking up with me."
He let a note of despair seep into his voice. "So, I was wondering… could you possibly help me practice? Let me practice hugging with you, so I can learn how to make a girl feel comfortable and loved. Would that… be okay?"
"Huh? P-Practice… hugging?" Gabriel's brows knitted together in genuine consternation.
Her time on Earth hadn't left her entirely unchanged. Through her studies and passive absorption of human culture, she had acquired a basic understanding of social norms and common sense. An embrace of the sort he described… that wasn't something ordinary classmates did. It occupied a distinctly intimate zone.
Seeing her hesitation, Hozuki Nozomi was prepared. He let his shoulders slump, releasing her hand and casting his eyes downward in a portrait of profound disappointment. "It's… not allowed, is it? I'm sorry. Please forget I asked, Gabriel. I apologize for putting you in such an awkward position."
Of course, it was all an act. Gabriel was an angel, and the halo above her head—even when not visibly manifested—exerted a passive, purifying effect on the hearts and intentions of those nearby. Malicious or impure thoughts would be gently scrubbed away.
Hozuki Nozomi, however, was an exception.
Her previous 'blessing' had removed a physical malady, not his fundamental nature. His desire to be close to beautiful girls remained wholly intact, as he personally categorized it not as 'evil,' but as a natural, joyful pursuit of happiness.
Gabriel watched his dejected posture, her angelic heart clenching with empathy. "N-No, it's not that it's not allowed!" she blurted out, her voice regaining its soft resolve. "I can help you practice!"
"Really?" Hozuki Nozomi looked up, feigning surprised hope.
Gabriel smiled, a determined little nod accompanying her words. "If it can help you mend your relationship, I am willing to assist."
"Gabriel, you truly are an angel!" Hozuki Nozomi exclaimed with convincing emotion. Then, not wasting a second, he gently slid an arm around her slender waist. "Time is of the essence! Let's begin the practice now!"
Before Gabriel could fully process the agreement, he had guided her onto his lap as he sat on the bench. The sudden, warm contact, the solid feel of him beneath her, sent a delicate shiver through her entire frame. Her previous physical proximity had been limited to other girls—her sister, Raphi, or her classmate Vigne. Being held like this by a boy, by Hozuki Nozomi, triggered a cascade of strange, unfamiliar sensations.
But she had given her word. An angel's promise was binding. Suppressing the instinctive urge to flutter away, she tried to settle, resulting in a slight, restless shift in his embrace.
"Hiss…" Hozuki Nozomi drew in a sharp, pained breath. "See? Gabriel… I'm so sorry. My embrace really is uncomfortable for girls. I'm hopeless…"
"N-No! That's not it!" Gabriel's face flushed. She shook her head earnestly. "It's… it's just a matter of adjustment. For the human body." As if to prove her point, she consciously wriggled again, this time finding a position where her weight was comfortably settled and their points of contact felt less electrically strange. She stilled. "There. Hozuki Nozomi, you should hold your girlfriend in a position like this in the future. Based on my… personal sensory data, it's not unpleasant."
"Is that so? Let me solidify the muscle memory, get used to this exact feeling." He tightened his hold just slightly, making it more secure. "Gabriel… could you stay like this for a little while longer? I'm afraid I'll forget the precise positioning if you move."
"Mmm… y-you may. If it will help you retain the knowledge, then it is for the best," she acquiesced, her voice a soft murmur.
His warm breath now fanned against the sensitive skin of her neck. Another full-bodied shiver coursed through Gabriel. Her cheeks burned. A deep, instinctual part of her screamed that this was highly irregular, that it crossed lines she hadn't known existed.
However, a simultaneous, celestial feedback loop provided a counter-argument. The performance metrics of her angelic halo were ticking upward at a steady, satisfying rate. See? it seemed to say. You are assisting a human in distress, guiding him toward relational harmony and future happiness. This is a righteous act. This is your duty.
And so, the angel Gabriel remained in Hozuki Nozomi's embrace, allowing him to hold her slender form, to breathe in her unique, lightly floral scent—a fragrance like clean air and morning dew. An expression of deep, tranquil contentment settled on his features.
Neither of them noticed the pair of wide, shocked eyes observing them from around the corner of the building. A stunning, silver-haired girl with a voluptuous figure stood frozen, one delicate hand pressed to her mouth in astonishment.
This girl…
Wasn't she Raphi, the angel who had graduated from the Angel Academy in the same class as Gabriel?