Chapter 139: Free Activity
Kouya casually put the box away, his expression calm yet slightly tired from the night's events. With a faint sigh, he said,
"Alright, let's go back. It's getting late."
"Mm." The miko girl nodded gently, her silver hair swaying with the night breeze as she clutched the edge of her robes.
As for the cleanup, Kouya didn't bother worrying—he just needed to call Hirata Sachiko, and her people would arrive soon enough to handle everything. He'd grown used to such quiet efficiency.
When Kouya finally returned to the hot spring villa with the two lolis in tow, the horizon had begun to brighten. The moonlight mixed with the faintest trace of dawn as they crossed the garden path. Steam rose faintly from the outdoor baths, the air warm and quiet except for the chirping of insects. By the time they reached the living room, the clock had already struck past three in the morning.
Vigne appeared at the top of the stairs, rubbing her sleepy eyes as she descended in a soft nightgown. Her long hair was slightly messy, and her steps were slow.
"You... you two..." she murmured, eyes widening as she took in the sight of Kouya and the miko girl walking side by side, their figures lit by the dim glow of the hallway lamps. Her gaze lingered on them for a heartbeat, then her lips pressed together, and her expression dimmed.
For reasons even he couldn't explain, Kouya felt the urge to speak—to clarify.
Things aren't what you think!
Before he could open his mouth, the miko girl spoke first, her voice calm and even. "Kou-kun and I just went out to look for Ai and the others."
Vigne blinked. "Eh, really?"
Her gaze shifted, spotting the two little lolis behind Kouya. The tension in her shoulders eased instantly. A soft breath escaped her lips.
Then, as realization dawned, a faint pink dusted her cheeks.
Even if they had gone out alone at night... it's not like she had any right to question them. They were just classmates, after all...
J-just classmates!
"Vigne onee-chan!" The two lolis rushed forward in unison, practically pouncing on her.
"Master was so amazing tonight!"
"Eh?" Vigne blinked, glancing between them and Kouya with visible confusion.
The two lolis froze, realizing their mistake. They quickly stuck out their tongues in panic, stammering, "A-anyway! Master's thing was super awesome! Ai and I were both like 'whoa,' and our hearts were going 'ba-dump, ba-dump!'"
Kouya's expression darkened like thunder.
You two need to shut your mouths right now. I told you—it was a punch! Don't call it 'that thing!'
Do you realize how bad that sounds!?
"Kouya-kun, they're still children..." Vigne said softly, almost like a sigh.
He shot her a look.
Oh, thank you for the reminder, Miss Morality Police! You think I'm some sleazy protagonist from a 'fatherly love' drama sneaking around in the dark to 'replenish mana' or something?!
These flat-chested gremlins without even a hint of buns—I wouldn't look twice at them! (╯‵□′)╯︵┻━┻!
...
From morning until now—buying school supplies with that blue-eyed baby dragon, then running around all evening—the entire day had stretched endlessly. Every hour had felt like three.
Finally, that long, chaotic day came to a close.
When morning sunlight spilled through the curtains, Kouya woke at seven sharp. The gentle rays bathed the room in gold, brushing against the floorboards. The curtains fluttered with the breeze, carrying the faint scent of flowers and soap. The warmth of spring filled his lungs, and for the first time in days, he felt completely awake.
He dressed neatly and stretched his arms before heading for the bathroom.
Because his room was located at the end of the hallway, he had to pass by the girls' shared bedroom. Halfway down the corridor, cheerful voices drifted out from the open door.
"Gabi-chan, the sun's already up! Get out of bed!" Vigne's clear voice echoed.
"So sleepy... five more minutes," came Gabriel's muffled groan.
"Kanna and the others are already awake! How are you still sleeping!" Vigne scolded, exasperated.
"I toy can!" Gabriel replied lazily, face buried in her pillow. "A wise person once said: 'Life is about sleeping!' If you don't sleep well, you'll be useless all day..."
"It's exercise!" Vigne snapped. "You just made that quote up yourself, didn't you?! And if you know you'll be tired, then why don't you sleep earlier!"
Satania stood beside them, arms crossed and brimming with energy after a full night's sleep. "Hmph! Gabriel! Get up and face me in glorious combat!"
"No. Go away."
"Ugh! Coward!"
Raphiel leaned against the bed frame, smiling faintly. "Gabi, what exactly were you doing last night to make you this tired?"
Gabriel turned crimson. "N-nothing! I was just... cultivating immortality! Yeah, that's it! I always stay up late, okay?!"
"That's definitely suspicious."
"It's not!" Gabriel flopped dramatically onto the bed. "I refuse to rise! Let me be a peaceful salted fish!"
"Then leave it to me," Raphiel purred mischievously. She crawled over the sheets and pinned Gabriel down, using her self-proclaimed secret move—the Chest Massage Kill.
"Mmph~!" Gabriel gasped, voice trembling with embarrassment. "Stop that!"
"No can do. This is my morning greeting for you," Raphiel teased with a grin.
"That's not how people say good morning!" Gabriel cried out, face blazing.
"Gabi, if you don't get up, breakfast will get cold," Vigne sighed, rubbing her temple.
"Breakfast is important," Raphiel said, wagging her finger. "Skip it, and you'll get fat and feel sluggish all day."
"Tch. I skip it all the time, and I'm fine. You're the one who's been getting rounder lately."
Gabriel whispered the last part under her breath, but Raphiel's smile froze—then sharpened.
"Gabi... what was that?" Raphiel asked sweetly, her eyes gleaming dangerously.
In a flash, she renewed her assault.
Just then, Kouya happened to pass by the doorway. For ventilation, the door was ajar, and out of reflex, he glanced inside.
His eyes met a rather compromising scene—Raphiel leaning over Gabriel, their bodies tangled together in a way that could definitely be misunderstood.
Vigne noticed him instantly and turned pale. "Raphiel! Get up!"
"Eh? What?" Raphiel blinked, confused.
"Your panties... they're showing!" Vigne squeaked, covering her face.
Raphiel froze. Then, realizing what she'd done, she shot upright and yanked her skirt down, cheeks blooming red. Even for someone as teasing as her, that was mortifying.
She tried to sound composed. "Did you see?"
Kouya could have lied, brushed it off, pretended nothing happened.
But he didn't.
He nodded casually. "Yeah. White cartoon ones, lace-trimmed."
Vigne nearly screamed. "Stop saying it out loud! You can't just blurt that out in front of girls!"
Kouya shrugged. "I'm just being honest."
"Even if it's true, read the room!" Vigne snapped. "You could at least deny it!"
He raised his hands. "Alright, fine. I was making it up. Didn't see a thing."
You literally described them, idiot!
Raphiel squinted, a sly smile tugging at her lips. "Kouya-kun, people will start calling you a hentai if you keep this up."
Gabriel puffed her cheeks angrily. "Yeah! Total pervert! I vote we exterminate him!"
At least she was finally awake.
But there was still one left.
"Rikka, your turn. Get up."
At the far end of the bed, Takanashi Rikka lay wrapped up tightly in her blanket, only her head sticking out. Her ahoge wobbled slightly as she pretended to sleep, lips curled in a tiny smile. Every few seconds, she rubbed her cheek against the pillow.
She was definitely awake—just refusing to admit it.
"Ugh, the blanket glued itself to me. I can't move," she mumbled.
Enough already!
What are you, a hamster stuck to a glue trap?!
What next? Want Vigne to hug and lift you out of bed?!
Vigne simply smiled. "Is that so? In that case... I guess I'll just have to eat the cream cheese cake I made all by myself."
Rikka's eyes flew open instantly. "C-cream cheese cake?!" Her ahoge shot up straight like an antenna. "I'm awake! With the power of cake, no evil blanket can contain me!"
"Good girl. Wash up and come have some," Vigne said, patting her hands together with a smile.
After living together this long, Vigne had learned everyone's tastes—Rikka hated tomatoes most, then green peppers, but adored sweets like a child. Her absolute favorite was cream cheese cake, followed closely by Baumkuchen.
For reference, Baumkuchen is a layered cake that looks like tree rings when sliced—soft, sweet, and found in nearly every convenience store in Japan.
After washing up, everyone gathered in the living room for breakfast: rice, grilled fish, natto, milk, and cake. The room was filled with the cozy sound of chatter and clinking dishes.
When they finished, Vigne clasped her hands and announced,
"We'll head home around two this afternoon. Until then, everyone can do as they please."
The air felt light again—like the calm after a long storm.
Just then, Kouya felt a soft tug on his sleeve.
The blue-eyed baby dragon stood there, gazing up at him with shimmering eyes, her tiny hands clutching his shirt as if afraid he'd vanish.