Chapter 135: The Feeling of a Kiss
The night had fallen completely, deep and serene.
Not a single sound could be heard save for the faint rustle of the wind brushing against the curtains. The moon hung high above, its pale silver light seeping through the thin gap in the drapes, painting the room in a quiet shimmer of white.
The soft rhythm of breathing filled the space, steady and slow, like the heartbeat of the world itself. Then, without warning, the stillness shifted.
A figure slowly sat up from the bed across the hall. Her hair glowed faintly under the moonlight, a pale halo that reflected her celestial origins. The cool air touched her bare, delicate feet, sending a small shiver up her legs as she stood. She moved soundlessly toward the door, her every step cautious, her hands trembling slightly as she reached for the handle.
"He should be asleep by now, right?" she whispered under her breath, glancing back at the dark corridor.
"It's just one picture. Even if he's awake, it's fine. I'm not scared. And if he dares try anything... I'll smite him. Totally."
Then, as if to reassure herself, she clenched her fist. "Everything is for the sake of gacha money. For that SSR... I'll do anything!"
Gabriel crept outside Kouya's door, pushed it open carefully, and slipped into the dimly lit room. The air was warm with the faint scent of soap and wood. Her golden eyes adjusted quickly, scanning the space until they settled on the shape of Kouya lying on the bed. His chest rose and fell in calm rhythm.
"He's really asleep," she murmured, letting out a small sigh of relief.
She took out her phone and crouched beside him, her fingers hovering over the camera icon. Just one quick picture. In and out.
But she hadn't accounted for Kouya's natural alertness. Even without his full power, his instincts were sharp enough to sense movement within a few meters. The moment she leaned close, the air around her shifted.
Kouya's eyes opened.
'What the—someone's here.'
He didn't think—he reacted. A sudden burst of killing intent filled the room like a storm, his body moving before his mind. His fist shot forward with terrifying speed.
"Ah—!" a small scream echoed.
He stopped himself just in time, catching a glimpse of blonde hair and wide golden eyes. It wasn't an assassin—it was Gabriel. His hand changed direction mid-swing, turning the attack into a grab that pulled her down onto the bed.
She landed with a soft thump, her wings twitching in surprise.
"What the hell are you doing?" Kouya growled, his voice sharp with anger. "Are you insane? You could've gotten yourself killed."
Gabriel blinked rapidly, frozen for a moment, her breath shaky. The overwhelming aura he'd released still lingered in the air. "I-I was just... I came to... n-night raid you..."
Kouya stared at her blankly. "...What."
This wasn't right. His lazy, game-addicted angel was not supposed to be the type to sneak into someone's room in the middle of the night! What kind of twisted turn of fate was this!?
She realized what she had just said, her face instantly turning crimson. "D-don't get the wrong idea! It's not what you think!"
But Kouya wasn't listening. His hand was still resting against her shoulder, her skin soft and warm against his palm. He could feel the faint, smooth elasticity of her body beneath the fabric. His mind told him to let go—but his fingers didn't obey.
He frowned slightly. 'So you sneak into my room, call it a night raid, and then yell at me? Who's the real pervert here?'
Instead of releasing her, he pushed her back down again. The mattress dipped under their weight as he leaned forward.
Gabriel gasped. "W-what are you doing!?" Her voice shook as she struggled, hands pressing weakly against his chest. But her body felt oddly light, her limbs unsteady from panic.
"I-I'm warning you! If you dare try anything, you're dead!" she stammered.
Kouya's eyes narrowed. Her words had no bite, not when her lips trembled like that.
Her nightgown was slightly rumpled, the neckline loose from her movements. Moonlight spilled over her collarbone, highlighting the curve of her shoulders and the pale glow of her skin. The faint scent of soap mixed with the cool night air, making her seem almost unreal.
'Seriously... how are women so different?' he thought bitterly. 'Same human shape, but... completely different in every way.'
Her soft breathing, the way her golden hair fanned across the pillow, the light trembling of her lips—it all made something strange stir inside him.
Gabriel turned her face away, flustered beyond belief. "Don't look! Avert your eyes, idiot!"
He smirked faintly. 'It's not like there's much to look at anyway.'
"You're thinking something disgusting again, aren't you!?" she accused, wriggling helplessly. "Get off me right now, or I'll... I'll bite you!"
Kouya sighed, grabbing her wrists and pinning them gently against the pillow. His weight kept her still.
Their gazes met.
The air around them thickened. The silence stretched until even the sound of their breathing seemed too loud. Her eyes glistened, panic and confusion blending with something unspoken. Her cheeks were flushed, her lips trembling.
He felt his pulse pounding faster—each beat louder than the last. A rush of heat crawled up his neck. His mind screamed for logic, but emotion overrode it.
Was this... what people called 'falling for someone'?
He studied her face carefully, as if seeing it clearly for the first time. The faint flush on her pale cheeks, the way her lashes quivered, the tiny movement of her lips as she tried to form words. There was nothing divine about her in that moment—just a girl, fragile and real.
His memory drifted back—to that morning on the first day of school, when she had stood beneath the sunlight, hands clasped in prayer, looking untouchably pure. The image flickered vividly in his mind.
They'd known each other for more than a month now. She annoyed him constantly, yet somehow, she'd become a part of his daily life. Familiar. Natural.
Her being an angel didn't matter. Her being forbidden didn't matter. In front of power, all taboos were meaningless. What mattered was the girl trembling beneath him now.
But... was this truly affection? Or something else?
Kouya frowned slightly. He couldn't define it, but his heart wouldn't slow down.
"W-what are you staring at!?" Gabriel snapped, her voice barely more than a whisper. "Get up already!"
He blinked, realizing how close they were. His breath brushed against her cheek.
Maybe... there was one way to find out.
He leaned in.
Gabriel's mind went blank. The warmth of his breath brushed her lips, sending a jolt down her spine. Her heart thudded so fast it almost hurt. 'No way... he's actually going to...!'
She wanted to move, to scream, but her voice wouldn't come out. Panic, confusion, and something she couldn't name tangled inside her.
"Why is this happening!? I just came for a picture! How did it turn into this!?" she screamed inwardly. 'This idiot! He's going to kiss me!' Her hands trembled, caught beneath his.
Her face flushed scarlet, heat spreading from her cheeks to her neck. The air between them felt thick, electric. She could barely breathe.
"D-don't move," Kouya murmured softly, his tone quiet but firm. "Let me see... what it feels like to kiss you."
Gabriel's eyes widened. Her breath hitched in disbelief.
He said it so simply—like he was asking what time it was.
Her mind exploded with embarrassment. 'How can he say that so easily!? What kind of man—what kind of monster—can say that so casually!?'
Her body trembled, her heart pounding like thunder.
"Y-you absolute idiot! Hentai! Bastard! Go die, go die, go die!"