Chapter 136: Kiss!
Kouya was not someone who hesitated.
Once he made a decision, he followed through without second thoughts. Since he had decided to find out what kissing felt like, he didn't wait for Gabriel to say anything more. He simply leaned down, his shadow falling over her flushed face, and pressed his lips forward.
As for whether this useless angel would blacken and go berserk afterward, maybe even destroy the world or something... that wasn't his problem. After all, she was the one who had launched the night attack, creeping into his room like a thief. If she got kissed in return, how could she blame anyone but herself?
And even if she really did lose control, he was confident he could handle it.
"You bastard!"
"You actually dared to do that!"
"Go die, go die, go die!"
Her furious voice trembled with helplessness. Though she wanted nothing more than to tear Kouya apart, her limbs were soft and weak, powerless to resist. The only thing she could do when he leaned in closer was to twist her head to the side desperately. And then...
A warmth brushed past her lips before landing lightly on her cheek. Gabriel's eyes went wide, her breath catching in her throat, and her mind seemed to crash entirely.
Kouya, meanwhile, felt something entirely different—something new, strange, and vivid.
The first sensation was heat—an intense, spreading warmth that made his chest feel tight. It was like holding a tiny flame between his lips, soft but enough to melt through his calm.
The second was softness—like the cotton candy he'd eaten outside the theater that day, fluffy and sweet, vanishing too quickly.
The third was elasticity—springy, smooth, like biting into jelly candy that fought back in the most satisfying way.
So this was what kissing a girl felt like?
Unexpectedly... it wasn't bad at all. In fact, it was addictive.
If only the diligent Gabriel beneath him weren't glaring up with those furious, humiliated eyes that promised death, it might have been perfect.
Kouya raised his head slightly, his heart thumping faster and faster in his chest. The pulse in his neck was clear to him now, a rhythm he didn't remember ever noticing before. "Feels okay," he murmured, almost as if he were evaluating a drink.
You bastard!
He kissed her—actually kissed her—and then just said it "feels okay"? What kind of response was that?!
Gabriel sucked in a deep breath, her lips trembling as she bit down on them. "Choose," she hissed, her eyes glowing faintly. "Cut in half, or slow slicing."
"Huh?" Kouya blinked.
"I'm giving you a choice in how you die!" she spat.
Either way, death was certain—it was the kind of 'choice' that wasn't one at all.
"Neither," Kouya replied calmly. He licked his lips without realizing, still feeling that warmth lingering there. His gaze bore into her, and his tone deepened. "This time, don't dodge."
"W-What are you planning now?" Gabriel stammered, her heartbeat skipping wildly.
Kouya tilted his head, as though thinking deeply. "Although it felt nice... something seemed off. Let me check again."
Her mind blanked.
Did he just—he did. He wanted to kiss her again.
This pervert actually said it out loud!
Gabriel's entire body went stiff, her wings trembling faintly from rage and embarrassment. "You—! I'll kill you!" she shouted, blushing furiously as she tried to push him away.
But before anything else could happen, a voice came from outside the door. "Kouya-kun, are you still awake? What's with those strange noises?"
"..."
The air froze.
"It—it's Vigne!" Gabriel whispered sharply, her face going pale with panic. Her entire body went rigid.
Oh no.
If Vigne found out about this, she'd never live it down! A girl sneaking into a boy's room at midnight, trying to pounce on him only to get kissed instead? That kind of scandal would ruin her angelic dignity forever!
Desperate, she yanked the blanket over herself and hid completely underneath, only her eyes peeking out to shoot Kouya a deadly glare.
"Say a single word about this, and you're dead!" that glare screamed.
"Kouya-kun?" Vigne called again, her voice softer but suspicious.
Kouya forced a crooked smile. "It's nothing. Probably just... a mouse."
Not only Gabriel—even he felt strangely guilty saying that. If Vigne discovered him with Gabriel pinned to the bed, the outcome would be... unpleasant, to say the least.
"M-Mouse?" Vigne's voice trembled slightly, clearly uneasy.
"Yeah," Kouya said quickly. "What about you? Why are you still up?"
"I just got thirsty and came to get some water..." Vigne said from outside. Her voice came closer for a moment, then paused. She didn't enter.
Under the blanket, Gabriel finally exhaled slowly. "Phew~" she mouthed, her chest rising and falling with relief. At least Kouya hadn't sold her out.
Then realization struck.
Because of how weak her body still was, she hadn't been able to move far—just enough to roll onto her side and pull the blanket over. Which meant... she was practically lying in his arms.
And that scent—damn it—that faint, natural smell around him, clean and calming, like rain over fresh soil, was everywhere. It made her dizzy.
Her face flushed even deeper. 'What the hell is this smell... it's way too close!'
Kouya's breath brushed against her ear. She froze completely.
"Total hentai!" she hissed, trying to pinch him.
But Kouya was faster—his hand shot up and caught hers. His grip was firm, his fingers long and strong, wrapping around her smaller hand completely. She struggled, but the more she fought, the tighter that weird feeling in her chest became. Her palm grew slick with sweat, and her heart raced all over again.
What was this heat in her chest supposed to be?
"Why... why are your hands so big?!" she snapped, glaring, though her face looked like it could ignite at any moment. "You're plotting something perverted, aren't you?!"
"Kouya-kun, what's going on in there?" Vigne asked again, curious.
"Nothing," Kouya replied quickly, forcing his voice to stay even.
"Hmm... I just wanted to tell you something," Vigne said hesitantly.
Kouya tilted his head. "What is it?"
Vigne bit her lip. "It's about Ai and Natsu... they don't seem ordinary. If you're ever in danger, promise me you'll call. Me—or Tohru, Kanna's sister."
Right... besides the shrine maiden and Raphiel, the rest of them still didn't know who he really was.
The shrine maiden wouldn't gossip, and Raphiel... well, she had her own reasons for keeping quiet. Kouya didn't bother to question it further.
So you were... worried about me?
Kouya stayed silent for a moment, then nodded. "Got it."
Vigne's tone softened. "Thank you for today. Everyone... really had a great time."
Her words carried warmth that lingered longer than expected. Then, as if realizing something, her face flushed bright red. "A-anyway, good night! Rest well!" she stammered and hurried off.
"Yeah. Good night," Kouya answered quietly.
Once her footsteps faded, the blanket moved. A pink face peeked out cautiously. "Phew~ Vigne's finally gone," Gabriel whispered.
Kouya looked down at her—and from his angle, a hint of pale, glowing skin peeked from her collar. His gaze lingered a moment too long.
"You bastard! What are you staring at?! I'll gouge your eyes out!" Gabriel shouted, sitting up abruptly, her face burned crimson.
Just remembering that kiss made her furious all over again. Sure, they had once drunk from the same Coke bottle in the cafeteria—but this? This was something entirely different!
This time, she swore she'd actually kill him to vent her rage!
Kouya, now calm again after Vigne's interruption, raised an eyebrow. "You're still not leaving?"
That simple line snapped something inside her. "Awooo!" she growled and bit his arm.
Then...
He effortlessly placed his palm on her forehead, holding her back like a misbehaving cat.
"You bastard!" she snarled through gritted teeth, glaring daggers at him. Then, after a moment's hesitation, her expression shifted, a hint of scheming flashing in her eyes. "Wait—before I go... let me take a picture."
"What?!" Kouya blinked in disbelief. "A photo?!"
She nodded, cheeks puffed. "For evidence!"
Kouya stared blankly. A night attack was one thing—but now she wanted a souvenir photo? Just when had this fallen angel become so shamelessly corrupted?