Chapter 3: Gabriel’s Obedience240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡduKbgtvhit
The break time passed amid a chorus of girls chattering away, their voices weaving through the classroom like a lively symphony. Laughter, gossip, and the rustle of snack wrappers filled the air, giving the space a warm, bustling energy that only high school girls could create. Kouya sat quietly at his desk, half-listening, half-daydreaming, as the minutes slipped by.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXfgvwtOH96
Before long, it was time for math class.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoautA6CIFz
The math teacher, a freshly graduated college student, stood at the front of the room. He was still burning with youthful enthusiasm, the kind of teacher who waved his arms around as if fighting invisible dragons while explaining equations. His energy was almost contagious, his voice bright and full of passion. Yet every so often, he would sigh dramatically and mutter:240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡERQuMFeYzw
"The beauty of mathematics lies in the fact that it leaves us utterly confused—so confused indeed."240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIB8K4uY7AG
His words drew a few quiet chuckles. The warm sunlight filtering through the window painted golden stripes across the desks, casting everything in a gentle, lazy glow. The warmth made eyelids heavy. The droning tone of numbers and formulas was like a lullaby. Kouya rested his chin on his hand, eyes half-closed, and thought, 'Just five minutes…'240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ24zm7LxZiV
He was just about to drift off when he remembered the annoying blonde rookie angel sitting behind him—the one who found endless joy in poking people. Her childish hobby had already made his mornings miserable. Turning halfway around, he whispered sharply:240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyqzdg7nFaz
"Don’t poke me again!"240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvy2zbBEs0y
The blonde girl, Gabi-chan, blinked her big round eyes, face full of mock innocence. Her golden hair shimmered under the sunlight, and her expression screamed, 'Who, me?'240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWYtnbrANXM
"Say something. Don’t play dumb!"240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡChwxMVGRwp
Kouya clenched his teeth. "You were talking plenty during break time. What, did you lose your voice the second class started?"240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlloJafqxzS
Gabriel raised one delicate finger to her lips, shook her head gently, and made a quiet shushing gesture. Her face was calm, almost saintly, as if she were a devout believer protecting some sacred law.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW8oEOJbtBV
Kouya frowned. Was this sly angel actually trying to follow the rule of ‘no talking during class’? The thought made his temple twitch.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtCWLX071Bp
He turned back, pulled out a sticky note, and scribbled a message in irritation:240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUeaqaR9ykq
"Why won’t you talk?"240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPlHdXH4ooB
He flicked the note backward. A few seconds later, he heard the faint, crisp scratching of a pen before the note came back.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEI3aDBgxXZ
He looked down. The reply was written in flawless, elegant handwriting:240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr6zSj13oMT
"The ‘Student Code of Conduct’ clearly states that students must not whisper or make loud noises during class."240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7mi5FXI19p
Kouya’s jaw tightened. So that really was the reason?240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwDjFiKEfKc
This rookie angel must’ve just graduated straight from some uptight angel academy. Her brain was probably scrubbed clean by those birdbrains up there in Heaven! No sleeping, no eating, no whispering—what kind of boring student life was that?240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQlbLUbhCvb
He grabbed his pen again and wrote another note: "Then why did you poke me?"240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0bKPe4jX0K
The reply came back quickly:240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBHnWUe2dp9
"Because my dream is to make everyone happy."240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGXMd1wPAia
Kouya groaned. "Eh? Why are you bringing up that ridiculous dream of yours now?"240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEHy4S4XIM7
Another note came fluttering back:240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdpT9vrIVHh
"School is a place for learning. If Kouya-kun sleeps during class, you’ll miss out on valuable knowledge. Later, you’ll regret it. I want to stop you from sleeping so you can learn—and be happy."240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAvHAGT5FNI
Kouya stared blankly at the paper. Enough already! There’s no equation in existence that links ‘not sleeping’ to ‘happiness’! If there were, then insomniacs and anxious people who can’t sleep at all should be the happiest humans alive!240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXiNYK7zAd2
Reality said otherwise—those people lived in misery, drowning in sleeping pills and sedatives just to function. Some couldn’t even take it anymore and chose to end their lives.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaBHRcSIKy6
Before he could respond, another sticky note landed on his desk.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcorKVfICxd
"And my dream isn’t ridiculous or impossible. As the top graduate of my academy, I’ll definitely make it come true!"240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdu1UeO8AHa
Kouya smirked. Top graduate? From that so-called angel academy that mass-produces rookie angels? Yeah, sure.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKZFxRau3Ue
He scribbled back: "Hmph. That line of yours sounds exactly like a flag waiting to be raised."240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpnTEjISk3I
Gabriel’s note came back: "Eh? A flag? What’s that supposed to mean?"240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBE8fQEBP90
Kouya chuckled silently. "It’s a term from anime. Basically, whenever someone says, ‘Once this battle’s over, I’m going home to get married,’ they always end up dying afterward. Sounds just like what you said."240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzmTQiFlhnv
Gabriel tilted her head, clearly thinking it through. After a moment, she wrote back:240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKI36r4Ae5U
"Even if I die, it’s fine. I’ll return to the embrace of the Holy Father—that’s the best ending I could ask for."240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgHGzgPr8SQ
Kouya stared at the note in silence.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYj7MzVGDSo
What could he even say? There was no arguing with that level of holy delusion.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡExc7nlueK6
The beautiful morning drifted away, and soon it was noon.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfo9rvnC0ag
Because of that idiotic blonde angel, Kouya’s peaceful nap plan had been completely ruined. If he dared to close his eyes again, she would start poking him at perfect intervals, like a metronome set to “annoyance.”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOWRzm7NRp9
If it weren’t for his desire to experience the human world like a normal person, he would’ve erased that rookie angel from existence already.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtnHpy4X5LN
"Gabi-chan, Gabi-chan, let’s eat lunch together!" Several girls swarmed Gabriel the moment class ended.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvGb9gvTUHf
"Sure!" Gabriel replied sweetly, flashing her sunshine smile. The crowd around her brightened instantly.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwsvrqk7W3Q
Kouya sighed and stood. He wasn’t interested in overhearing a bunch of girls chatting about cute lunches or the latest rumors. He slipped out quietly.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJWRK6U46Kr
As a single guy with no childhood friend or housework-loving little sister, Kouya didn’t bother making a bento. He settled for the convenience store downstairs instead.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTSJmqmKxjI
Two pieces of bread, one bottle of water—that was enough. Simple, quiet, efficient. He made his way to the rooftop. The door there was usually locked, meaning nobody ever went up. Perfect spot for some peace and solitude.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeQweb5o9lD
The building was quiet. Most students were napping or chatting softly in classrooms. The hum of distant laughter faded as Kouya ascended the stairwell. Just as he turned the last corner, he froze.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxXFQG2odxx
A girl was sitting on the floor, back against the wall.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqbYxuuXeiy
She looked fifteen or sixteen, with short, wine-red hair that shimmered faintly under the dim light. A red sweater hugged her frame, and a small bat-shaped hair clip glimmered atop her head. Her lips curved in satisfaction as she took a big bite of bread, humming softly between chews. A tiny fang peeked adorably at the corner of her mouth. She looked so happy it was almost contagious.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlDjAcptes1
If Kouya hadn’t been holding the same brand of bread, he might’ve thought she was eating divine ambrosia.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJmQLSTMggG
"Hmm? That scent…" Kouya’s expression didn’t change, but his mind sharpened. 'A little demon… again? She feels familiar. Wait—she’s one of my classmates, isn’t she?'240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeJ5hbhLVxd
The red-haired girl spotted him and immediately froze. Her eyes widened, and she held her bread defensively to her chest like a frightened animal.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGA0zWC7xPO
Kouya could barely stop himself from sighing aloud. What was with that ‘puppy guarding its food’ look? You’re a demon! Have some dignity!240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEVcRsjI7Qn
"Excuse me, can I pass?" he asked mildly.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUYzO6RlO2Q
"Ah, okay!" She leapt up in panic, clutching her pineapple bun. The sudden motion made her skirt lift slightly. Kouya blinked—his gaze instinctively drawn to the flash of pale skin.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoKeQ6ofF3m
He had to admit—this red-haired little demon radiated a kind of pure, lively energy. Her black school socks reached just below her knees, leaving a stretch of flawless, creamy white thigh between them—the legendary ‘absolute territory,’ smooth and gleaming under the light.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2GAfel52YK
Her skirt swayed higher…240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3HcfJcxxH8
The moment lingered too long, crossing the line between innocent and forbidden.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7z7zilXCLG
Kouya’s eyes widened; the sight burned into his memory.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTmewgyXgP8
"Uuh~~" The red-haired demon let out a sound like a small wounded animal.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkOeW4y2aWF
"Y-you saw everything?!"240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKJx3syhdT5
Kouya scratched his cheek awkwardly. "Ah, yeah, I guess you could say that. The style’s a bit conservative, though..."240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZaTmUJBpIG
Her face exploded in color. "Y-you’re even commenting on the style?!" she cried, eyes brimming with tears. She grabbed her skirt, trying to push it down as far as it would go, abandoned her half-eaten bun, and fled down the hall sobbing.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0i0ftTpx7L
"A boy saw my important place with those perverted eyes—I’m going to get pregnant!"240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsKfvuxRJKk
Kouya stood still for a full five seconds, blinking.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWxyMt4CZbj
Did her biology teacher major in P.E. or something?240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSS1D04wNBy
He sighed, looking at the bread she’d left behind. 'All I did was see her safety shorts. What’s with that overreaction? If you’re going to make such a big deal out of it, maybe don’t wear them to school next time.'240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5MwHSwXNuL