Chapter 146: Vigne's Request
"So, Shiraha-sama, will you eat your lunch first, or eat me first?" Alice asked brightly, her tone light but her eyes shining with intense emotion. One delicate hand held her neatly wrapped lunch box, while the other rested on her skirt in a teasing gesture. Her vivid green eyes were full of admiration and longing. "Or… maybe you'd like to enjoy both at once? I don't mind!"
"W-what are you saying?!" Vigne cried out, almost dropping her own lunch in shock. Her face turned bright red as the words sank in.
Since the beginning of the semester, Vigne had occasionally heard about girls who liked other girls, but never—ever—had she seen such a brazen confession delivered so directly and without hesitation. The sheer boldness of it shattered her calm composure. For someone as responsible and modest as her, it was like watching social norms collapse before her very eyes.
"Rejected," Raphiel said flatly, though a tiny smile tugged at her lips. She pushed the twin-tailed girl gently away, a rare trace of unease showing on her face. Even the manipulative angel seemed momentarily at a loss. "I already have my own lunch, Alice."
Alice's emerald eyes filled with tears, trembling as she clutched her lunchbox dramatically. "Uwaaaah! Shiraha-sama hates me! My life… my heart… they're over!" she wailed, staggering backward before sprinting away with exaggerated sobs. "I don't want to live anymore!"
A heavy silence hung in the air for a moment. Kouya rubbed his temples while Vigne just blinked, utterly speechless.
...
The afternoon dragged by after that wild scene. The last class ended with the sharp ring of the final bell, and the students spilled into the hallways like a tide of voices and laughter.
As a devout member of the Go-Home Club, Kouya had no club activities waiting for him. He slung his bag over his shoulder, yawning lazily as he started down the corridor, his mind already set on food and gaming.
He'd barely made it out the school gate when he heard someone call out.
"Kouya! Wait up!"
He turned and saw Vigne hurrying toward him, her skirt fluttering as she ran. Her light brown hair bounced with each step, and a faint blush dusted her cheeks from the effort. Catching her breath, she tucked a stray lock behind her ear and straightened her uniform before speaking.
"Today's Kanna-chan's first day of school, right? Let's go check on her. I just… want to see how she's doing."
Kouya considered it for a moment, then nodded with a shrug. "Sure, why not."
In Japan, elementary kids usually went to and from school on their own, often in little groups. But Kanna, being new—and technically a dragon—wasn't exactly used to human customs. Vigne's concern made perfect sense. Knowing her, she'd probably been worrying about it all day.
The two walked side by side, chatting idly as they made their way toward the nearby elementary school. The streets were lively at this hour, full of children laughing and parents waiting at corners. The soft orange glow of the setting sun painted everything with a warm hue.
When they reached the school, the gates were already open. A steady stream of small students in bright yellow caps and oversized backpacks came pouring out, laughing and waving goodbye to teachers. The sight of them walking in pairs, tiny feet pattering against the pavement, brought an unexpected smile to Vigne's face.
"So cute…" she murmured. "Let's wait here. She should be out soon."
"Good afternoon, Kouya-sama!" a cheerful voice suddenly sang out beside them.
Tohru appeared as if from thin air, her maid outfit pristine as always, her tail swishing behind her with enthusiasm. Her golden eyes gleamed with playful mischief. "You're here to pick up Kanna too, right?"
"Yeah," Kouya replied, half-expecting her by now.
"Kobayashi-san's still at work, so I offered to come instead! I didn't expect to run into you though, Kouya-sama. Kanna really likes you, doesn't she?" Tohru teased, grinning wide.
Kouya blinked. 'Likes me? She only likes food! That little dragon's stomach is the size of a black hole!'
"Oh! And this must be your girlfriend, right?" Tohru turned her sunny grin toward Vigne. "We met at the amusement park last time, remember?"
"E-eh?!" Vigne froze, her face burning crimson. "N-no! I'm not his girlfriend! You've got it all wrong!"
Tohru blinked innocently, then smacked her forehead as if remembering. "Ah, right! Not girlfriend—wing!"
Kouya twitched. 'Oh, come on! Girlfriend was bad enough—what the hell is wing!?'
"Wing?" Vigne repeated, confused. "What does that mean?"
Tohru puffed out her chest, eager to explain. "When you guys went to the hot springs, I got curious and checked online. Lots of people were talking about you! Some called you 'Kouya-sama's wings,' whatever that means. Others said stuff like, 'Damn normies, explode!' and 'The FFF Crusade will purge them in holy fire!'" she said proudly, clearly having no idea what she was reciting.
Vigne puffed up her cheeks. Even if she didn't fully get it, she knew enough to understand it wasn't exactly praise. Her amber eyes narrowed at Kouya suspiciously.
"Hey, why are you glaring at me!?" Kouya groaned. "I didn't say any of that! Go glare at the dragon!"
"Hmph!" Vigne crossed her arms but said nothing.
Before the teasing could escalate further, the school gates opened again, and a familiar tiny figure emerged.
Kanna stepped out, her little yellow hat slightly crooked, her white uniform pressed and neat, though her large backpack looked heavy enough to topple her. To everyone's surprise, she wasn't alone—another girl around her age walked beside her, chatting cheerfully and waving her arms.
Kanna listened quietly, her pale blue eyes calm. Halfway through, she paused and turned her gaze toward the waiting trio. Her expression softened as she spotted them.
"Kanna-chan, is that your family?" her new friend asked curiously.
Kanna hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "Yeah."
"Okay! See you tomorrow then!" the girl said with a wave before skipping away.
Tohru waved frantically. "Kanna! Over here! Did you have fun today?"
Kanna nodded solemnly, but there was a faint glimmer of satisfaction in her tone. "Fun."
"Good girl! Let's go home!"
"Okay."
They escorted her home to the apartment complex where she and Kobayashi-san lived. As they reached the entrance, Tohru smiled warmly. "Kouya-sama, Vigne—why don't you come up for tea? I made a new blend just for today!"
Vigne smiled apologetically. "That's really kind of you, but there's a big discount sale at the supermarket, and I wanted to go before it ends."
"Same here," Kouya said, waving. "It's getting late anyway."
"Aww, that's too bad!" Tohru pouted, her tail drooping a little. Then she brightened again. "Next time, okay? Kobayashi-san would be happy to see you two!"
After saying goodbye to Tohru and Kanna, the two started walking home together. The evening air was pleasantly cool, carrying the soft scent of flowers from nearby gardens. Streetlights flickered on one by one, casting warm halos of light across the sidewalk.
For a while, they walked in comfortable silence, until Vigne spoke.
"Lately… don't you think Gabi-chan-chan's been acting weird?"
Kouya nodded instantly. He'd been thinking the same thing. The once hopeless angel, whose halo had literally turned black, had suddenly started going outside again. Amusement parks, movie theaters, shopping trips—things that normal people did. It didn't make sense.
And where was she getting the money for all this? Their allowance from heaven was fixed, and Gabriel was the kind of person who'd usually burn through it in a week of gacha rolls. Yet somehow she kept spending like she had an infinite wallet.
"By the way," Vigne said, changing the topic, "we've got Home Ec on Thursday morning. We're supposed to cook something for class. What should we make?"
Kouya thought for a moment. "Vegetable tempura, maybe? Simple, quick, and you can't mess it up."
"Hmm, not bad," Vigne replied thoughtfully. "Still, I'll ask Gabi-chan and the others later, see what they think."
Home Ec was one of the few peaceful classes they shared. The first time, Kouya had ended up alone because of his reputation. Even Itsuka Shido, another guy, had an easier time finding partners. But ever since Vigne dragged him into her group, things had been… well, better.
The thought brought a faint smile to his face.
...
Time slipped by quietly. Night descended, wrapping the city in a deep, tranquil darkness. The moon hid behind clouds, and only a few stars flickered faintly through the haze. The hum of distant cars echoed through the still air.
Kouya had finished dinner and was lounging in his room, game controller in hand, lost in digital combat when his phone buzzed beside him. He frowned, glancing at the caller ID.
It was Vigne.
He picked up. "Yo, what's up?"
"Kouya…" Her voice was soft but trembling slightly. There was a nervous, almost pleading tone behind it. "Can you come out and help me with something?"