Chapter 128: Wall Slam
Yeah, that's right.
Inside that ridiculously huge bedroom closet, aside from Santa's reindeer outfit, there was also… a magical girl costume—complete with ribbons, pastel-colored frills, and a wand tipped with a glittering heart. It looked like something out of an anime dreamland, the kind of outfit that radiated pure secondhand embarrassment just by existing.
As for what kind of occasion that outfit was made for… Kouya didn't even want to know. He could already imagine the mocking looks and laughter if he ever wore it. His pride might never recover.
"I wanna wear it! I wanna wear it!" little Hinata shouted, bouncing up and down with both hands raised high. "I love Meruru the most!" Her eyes sparkled like a child who had just spotted her favorite toy.
It looked like if a girl had drawn that card, it wouldn't be so bad—just a bit embarrassing, maybe even endearing. They might laugh it off and pose for a few pictures.
But for Kouya? Turning into a magical girl was pure nightmare fuel.
This wasn't embarrassment anymore—it was psychological torture.
If he actually wore that thing, his body and soul might suffer irreversible damage. He could already imagine the trauma. His reputation, his sanity—gone in an instant. He might turn into a cooing pigeon for the rest of his life.
"Pfft—" Gabriel covered her mouth, shoulders trembling as she tried to hold in her laughter. Her halo flickered slightly from amusement.
Satania blinked, then grinned wickedly. "I don't know why, but… I suddenly really wanna see it happen."
Rikka, ever the dramatic one, pulled out a chocolate stick from her pocket like it was a sacred relic. "So the day has finally come," she whispered with mock seriousness. "Looks like it's time to hand you this magic wand. Use it wisely, chosen one."
Kanna clasped her face in both hands, eyes sparkling. "Wow… Majimabakunai…" she murmured, as if witnessing something legendary.
Even the shrine maiden, who usually maintained a calm and composed air, couldn't help but hide a smile. The corners of her lips curved upward in quiet amusement, her serene poise cracked just a little by the absurdity of it all.
Enough already!
What's with all those expectant faces?!
Don't push me too far! （╯‵□′）╯︵┻━┻!
"Have you decided yet, Kouya-kun?" Raphiel asked, voice smooth as silk, her smile brighter and more dangerous than sin itself.
Kouya glared at her, snatching the cards off the table. Without a word, he tossed the first one aside and picked up the second.
The words written there were simple but ominous: Wall slam number eight.
"Hmm, seems like you're quite lucky, Kouya-kun," Raphiel teased, clearly enjoying his discomfort. Her voice carried that same infuriatingly gentle tone that made everything sound worse.
She leaned forward, curiosity sparkling in her golden eyes.
Kouya's expression darkened like storm clouds. Why did such cursed commands even exist in this game? Was this divine punishment? He was certain Raphiel had tampered with the box.
"Who's number eight?" Raphiel asked, pressing a finger to her lips with feigned innocence. Her smile was sweet—but her eyes said she knew exactly what she was doing.
At those words, Vigne's face turned crimson. The red flushed all the way to her ears, and her hands trembled as she clutched her card. She opened her mouth but couldn't make a sound, as if the air had frozen in her throat.
And then—
"Wait!" Kouya's voice cut through the room.
Raphiel blinked in mild surprise, turning toward him. "What's wrong? Don't tell me you're backing out now?"
"Of course not." Kouya gestured toward a card on the table. "That one. What's it for?"
"That's the King's card," Raphiel explained smoothly, brushing her hair aside. Her tone was patient, but a tiny edge of wariness crept in.
In the King's Game, even the King wasn't safe. After everyone drew, one card remained—the King's own number. If luck betrayed them, the King could end up punishing themselves. It was part of the fun—or the chaos.
Kouya nodded slowly. "I see."
Without hesitation, he flipped over the last card. A bright red heart-eight stared back at them.
"Eh?? That's impossible!" Raphiel's eyes widened, a flicker of panic flashing through her perfect composure. "I clearly—"
"Clearly what?" Kouya's tone was calm, too calm.
"N-Nothing!" Raphiel forced a sweet smile, tucking a lock of silver hair behind her ear. "Must've been my mistake."
Kouya's eyes narrowed. "You totally cheated."
For once, the smug angel's confidence faltered. He caught her red-handed.
"Don't look at me like that! You cheated first!" she whispered defensively.
Yeah, maybe he had bent the rules—but not like her. No way could someone pull this many convenient cards without divine interference.
Raphiel turned her gaze away, twirling a strand of her silver hair nervously. Okay, maybe she had rigged the box just a little—but it was for entertainment! Laughter was good for the soul. That counted as angelic work, didn't it?
Seeing Kouya's dark expression—the one that said 'you're in trouble now'—Raphiel's heart thumped faster.
What should I do? He's serious! He's actually going to wall slam me!
Help! Someone stop this!
Urgent!
"It's not Onee-sama?!" little Hinata gasped, balling her hands into fists. "Even I would've been okay with that!"
Satania clapped her hands together. "Ohhh, so it's Raphiel, huh? This is going to be amazing!"
Gabriel turned lazily toward Vigne. "Why was your face so red just now?"
"N-Nothing!" Vigne shook her head too quickly, her hair swaying as she hid the card in her palm.
She hadn't said a word—but she was number eight.
If she admitted it now, that meant Kouya would have to wall slam her.
No. Absolutely not. Impossible!
Just imagining that scene made her whole body go stiff. Her heart pounded painfully. Her lips parted, but she couldn't breathe. She wanted to crawl under the table and vanish.
And besides, if she called him out, it would ruin the mood. Better to let him have this one…
Meanwhile, the shrine maiden remained silent, eyes half-lidded, her expression impossible to read. She studied Raphiel quietly.
Among them, Raphiel was easily the tallest, her figure elegant and poised. Over one-sixty tall (5′3), her silver hair cascaded down her shoulders in smooth waves, and her amber eyes gleamed like liquid gold. Her soft, confident smile could disarm anyone. It was no wonder every boy in school admired her.
And yet, her demeanor toward Kouya… it wasn't just playful. It was almost personal.
"Stand against the wall," Kouya said flatly.
Raphiel blinked, feigning surprise. "Are you… giving me a command, Kouya-kun?"
"You can think of it that way."
She bit her lower lip, then laughed softly. "Then I'll play along. It is just a game, after all."
The two walked toward the corner, footsteps echoing softly. The room fell silent.
Raphiel leaned back against the wall. Her heart beat faster with every step Kouya took toward her. She'd teased him so many times before, but this—this felt different.
He stopped in front of her, close enough that she could feel the faint warmth radiating off his chest.
The early summer air was heavy and warm. Kouya's white shirt clung slightly to his body, sleeves rolled up, collar loose. The faint scent of detergent mixed with something sharper—like adrenaline. His shadow fell over her face.
Her breath hitched. The corner of her mouth trembled into a nervous smile. The fluttering in her chest grew stronger.
Then—his hand hit the wall beside her head.
A sharp thud echoed through the room.
A perfect kabe-don.
"Do you admit you were wrong?" His voice was low, deep, and far too close.
Raphiel blinked up at him, her golden eyes shimmering. "W-What wrong? You can let me go now! Or—" her lips curled faintly, teasing despite her shaking voice, "—are you just using this as an excuse to get closer, Kouya-kun?"
Their voices dropped to whispers. The others couldn't hear the words—only the tension in the air.
From behind, with Raphiel's height and Kouya's posture, it almost looked like the two were kissing.
"Tch… hentai," Gabriel muttered, her cheeks flushed as she turned away.
"Hero… H!" Rikka squeaked, puffing out her cheeks, her ahoge twitching like crazy.
"So lewd! So lewd!" Hinata covered her eyes with both hands—but peeked shamelessly through her fingers, eyes shining with excitement.
Vigne stared blankly, biting her lip hard. Her delicate hand pressed against her chest.
Why…
Why did it end up like this…
I was first…
The shrine maiden's calm voice suddenly sliced through the silence. "That's enough. Let's go watch the fireworks."
"Yeah! Fireworks!" little Hinata jumped, her voice bright, clinging to her sister's side.
"Alright." Kouya exhaled, stepping back and lowering his arm.
Everyone let out a collective sigh of relief.
"Since we're going out, let's get changed," Vigne murmured softly, her voice barely above a whisper. She turned away, head lowered so no one could see her expression.
She disappeared quietly into the bedroom.
She was still wearing her maid outfit—and no matter what, that had to come off.