Chapter 134: Gabriel's Night Raid
When Kouya returned to the living room, the two lolis and Kanna had already finished their midnight snack. The scent of warm milk and sugar still hung faintly in the air. Each of them was now holding an ice cream cone, their tiny pink tongues sticking out as they happily licked away, eyes sparkling with childlike joy, faces glowing with innocent satisfaction. It was an image that could melt anyone's heart—though for Kouya, it only made him sigh.
The moment Kouya stepped inside, the two lolis froze, their big round eyes widening in panic. Then, as if remembering their manners, they quickly hopped off the couch and scurried toward him. Standing before him with trembling hands, they held up their half-eaten ice creams like an offering, their lips quivering. Their voices were soft and hesitant, almost tearful.
"M-Master, you can have it... please don't be mad..."
First of all, don't call me Master! I've never once acknowledged you two as my subordinates!
Second, I'm not eating an ice cream that's already been... pre-licked! Who would even—
Before he could finish that thought, Vigne's voice drifted from the kitchen. She was cleaning up the leftover dishes, her tone full of mild reproach as she glanced back. "Don't bully Ai and Natsu, Kouya. They're just being sweet."
Hey, wait a minute! That's not fair!
I literally didn't say a single word after walking in! How did I become the bad guy again!?
Kouya shook his head helplessly. Seeing that he wasn't angry, the two lolis sighed in visible relief. Still, the temptation of their ice cream proved too strong. They looked up at him shyly, seeking silent permission. When he didn't object, they returned to licking—softly, slowly, almost ritualistically, their delicate little tongues tracing the edges of the cone. For some reason, the sight looked... wrong. Way too wrong.
Thankfully, Vigne finished tidying up soon and announced it was time for the girls to bathe. She called Rikka and the others, gathering the group to head toward the backyard hot spring.
Twenty minutes later, the warm scent of bath steam and soap lingered throughout the house. Everyone had gathered again in the living room, freshly bathed, their cheeks pink from the heat. Their hair was still damp, clinging gently to their shoulders. Gabriel and the others wore white bathrobes tied with simple sashes, loose enough to show the curve of their collarbones. The atmosphere was warm and relaxed, lazy and serene.
Vigne checked the clock on the wall. "It's already nine-thirty. Maybe it's time for bed?"
"Sleep? This early? No way!" Gabriel, the self-proclaimed useless angel, shot her a disbelieving look. Her golden hair shimmered faintly as she grinned. "Let's play some games!"
Vigne sighed. "When you say 'some games,' you actually mean an all-nighter, don't you?"
"Hehe, can't help it!" Gabriel puffed her cheeks adorably. "All-nighters are the true path to enlightenment!"
Raphiel placed a finger on her lips, smiling in amusement. "Then, perhaps we should play King's Game again?"
Instant rejection.
"No way!" everyone shouted in unison.
You break every rule the moment you start, you sadistic angel! Who'd play that with you again!?
"How about scary stories instead?" Satania, now sporting a noticeable lump on her head from earlier, suggested brightly.
Hinata's eyes lit up instantly. "Ooh! I love scary stories!"
Vigne chuckled softly. "Alright, everyone can tell one. Who'll go first?"
Raphiel lifted a slender finger. "I shall begin. This one is... a true story."
Her voice softened, carrying an eerie rhythm as she began her tale. "A bus driver was working the late shift one night. Since the route went through the countryside, passengers were few and far between. But that night, a girl with long black hair boarded the bus. Her face couldn't be seen clearly. One by one, the other passengers got off, until only the driver and the girl remained..."
As Raphiel spoke, her tone lowered, each word dripping with suspense. "When the driver looked into the mirror, he saw... nothing. The seats were empty. Startled, he slammed the brakes and turned around—she was there, sitting quietly. He kept driving. Looked again—empty. Braked again—she was there. Over and over, until the final stop. And when he turned once more, she was standing right behind him... her face drenched in blood. She whispered—"
The room was silent. Everyone except Kouya and the shrine maiden stared wide-eyed, completely drawn in.
Vigne leaned forward nervously. "W-What did she say...?"
Raphiel smiled devilishly, her eyes sparkling. "She said, 'Can I tie my shoelaces in peace?'"
The silence that followed was so thick it could be cut with a knife.
Then—
"So scary!" the two lolis screamed and hugged each other tightly. In their flailing panic, their robes slipped—revealing pure white panties decorated with little bunny prints.
Since they were sitting across from Kouya, he had the perfect—no, unavoidable—view.
...Well, damn.
Vigne gasped. "Don't look!" Her face turned crimson as she rushed to pull their robes down, glaring at Kouya with fiery embarrassment.
The two lolis realized what had happened a second later. Their faces turned red enough to rival tomatoes.
"Uu~ he saw everything!"
"Master is amazing!"
"YOU TWO! STOP THAT!"
"How is that amazing!? Why does your compliment sound like an insult wrapped in chaos!?"
"B-but Grandpa Kappa said..." one of them whimpered. "If Master sees our panties, we have to say, 'Master is amazing'..."
Kouya nearly coughed up blood. 'That old freak filled their heads with WHAT!?' He wasn't a kappa—he was a filthy old turtle spirit! Absolutely a degenerate turtle!
"Don't say things like that, alright?" Vigne quickly intervened, patting their heads. "We'll just make him buy you sweets next time."
Before they could cause any more confusion, she redirected the conversation. "Next story?"
"Me!" Satania shouted.
The red-haired fool sat up straight, her face serious. "It was a dark, dark night... a blonde high school girl walked home alone. Suddenly, a ghost appeared in front of her. It floated closer... but the girl ignored it. The ghost wailed, 'I have no legs!' The girl replied coldly, 'So what? I have no chest!' Boom!"
Thud!
Satania hit the floor instantly.
Gabriel's palm glowed faintly as she smiled sweetly. "Relax. I just sent her to confess her sins."
Everyone: "So scary!"
The rest of the night's stories grew less frightening, more like silly bedtime chatter. Laughter replaced screams. The room's earlier tension melted away.
By the time they finished, it was nearly ten.
Vigne yawned softly, her voice growing drowsy. "Ahh~ it's late. Let's get to bed."
Everyone nodded, stretching tiredly. Even Gabriel had no energy to argue.
"We'll sleep in the master bedroom," Vigne said. "Kouya, you can take the guest room, alright?"
"Sure," Kouya nodded. Honestly, being surrounded by that many girls in one rose-scented room? He preferred solitude.
After saying his goodnights, he slipped outside to soak in the hot spring once more. Alone beneath the glittering sky, steam swirling around him, he closed his eyes. The night air was cool, the stars endless. For a moment, peace returned.
Meanwhile, in the master bedroom—
A quiet ding broke the stillness. Gabriel's phone screen lit up.
A message from her contact—"Cash Machine." The nickname said it all. The woman behind it had a sweet voice, clearly young, and so ridiculously generous that Gabriel could barely believe her luck. One homemade bento could earn a rare in-game item. Rich. Gullible. Perfect.
[Cash Machine: Gabriel-san, are you awake?]
Gabriel yawned and texted back lazily. [What is it?]
[Cash Machine: A new mission. Simple one. Night raid.]
Gabriel blinked. [Huh!? N-night raid!?]
[Cash Machine: Yes, the kind you're imagining.] A playful emoji followed. [Mission condition: send me a photo—something from the night raid, something close, personal. Reward—30,000 yen.]
Gabriel nearly dropped her phone. "W-What!? I'm a girl! You're only offering that much for a night raid!?"
[Cash Machine: I heard you've been playing Kantai Collection and Onmyoji lately. Without gacha money... no SSRs.]
Gabriel froze. The halo above her dimmed. The hunger for an SSR burned in her eyes.
"Tch... fine!" she whispered, clenching her fists. "I'll do it. For an SSR, a little night raid means nothing!"