Chapter 6: Gabi-chan’s Tail145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5UaIbv5bz4
Walking out of the supermarket, the city lights had already come on, and the night sky was dotted with stars like scattered diamonds. The glow from neon signs painted the streets in shifting hues of pink and blue, and the gentle hum of life filled the air. It was the kind of evening that felt alive yet oddly peaceful.145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy2CAvLzKH0
The evening breeze brushed gently, stirring a wind chime hanging somewhere under an eave, bringing along a crisp, pleasant ringing sound that seemed to dance with the drifting scent of blooming flowers. The sound faded, replaced by the distant laughter of pedestrians and the low purr of passing cars.145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4OlBzBoc4v
“Thank you so much for earlier, Kouya-kun!” Gabi-chan took the groceries from his hands and bowed again, her golden hair catching the light as she moved. Her manners were flawless—graceful, polite, almost dazzling. Truly worthy of being the top graduate of Angel School.145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzkPVVATM6o
“Mm.”145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBADmMfdGfK
Kouya’s answer was short. He didn’t like this kind of exaggerated politeness. It felt artificial to him. He gave a faint nod and turned on his heel, walking toward his rented apartment with slow, measured steps.145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMgG06pp2gp
He lived nearby, in a small apartment about twenty minutes from the school. It wasn’t luxurious, but it was quiet, and that was all he wanted. Most of the residents were either students like him or tired office workers who came home too late to bother anyone.145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHEE4OhHD9Y
As he left the crowded street behind, Kouya turned into a small alley lined with cherry trees. Petals drifted in the breeze like fragments of light, falling softly against his shoulders. It was almost serene—until he heard it.145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdi5IBBSzKu
Footsteps. Light, hesitant, and close.145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNsHmobzEvg
The noise of cars and people faded further, but the faint sound behind him became more distinct. Under the soft streetlights, two shadows stretched across the pavement—one following closely behind the other.145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEki55heXRn
“What’s this stupid angel following me for?” Kouya thought, his brow twitching. “Did she… discover my identity?”145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOaadPb7lep
Then he scoffed inwardly. “No, impossible. Unless the God King himself came down to earth, there’s no way she could.”145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJKLZdtX7Vm
He shook his head and sighed. As long as she didn’t interfere with his peaceful daily life, it wasn’t worth his attention.145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhXQWPrjtlw
Before long, he arrived at his apartment building—a modest three-story complex with creaky stairs and a faint smell of detergent. He lived in the second-to-last room on the second floor. Not big—just thirty square meters—but enough for a quiet life.145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbXw5ZnHmP8
Yet, the footsteps behind him didn’t fade. They followed him all the way up the stairs, right to his door.145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXdr4PPQC0w
That was it.145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRigFDD49zU
Kouya turned sharply, irritation flashing across his face.145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpizHQkTt9s
“Hey. Why are you following me?”145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJMXDTkfBNB
Gabi-chan blinked rapidly, her cheeks flushing pink. “N-no, you’ve got it wrong, Kouya-kun.”145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZcidPUnk4R
‘Wrong, my ass! You’ve been tailing me since the supermarket!’ he screamed internally. ‘What are you, a stalker? You think I’m blind?’145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPMUPQZQEw4
“Um, Kouya-kun, really, you’re misunderstanding.”145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZZZQSjiDT8
“I believe my own eyes—”145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2pP6Y9lm5u
Before he could finish, Gabi-chan reached into her wallet, took out a key, and with a soft click, unlocked the door… right next to his.145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUT1DhGayH3
Kouya stared blankly. “……”145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7uDzuNJ2VI
‘No way… this dumb angel is my neighbor?!’145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK6SNnufrW7
‘You’ve got to be kidding me. Damn it, of all people!’145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgy5zgF3wKq
Gabi-chan smiled warmly, pushing her door open but not stepping in yet. “I just moved in this morning. I haven’t had the chance to greet my neighbors yet. What a coincidence that you live here too, Kouya-kun.” She bowed slightly, her golden hair swaying. “Well then, Kouya-kun, I look forward to getting along with you.”145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbA55cBycEt
Kouya’s expression didn’t change. He muttered something under his breath and went inside, shutting his door firmly. Just the thought of an angel living next door made him restless.145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxo5nzEn4Do
His apartment was simple but cozy. A small kitchen, a folding table, a bed by the window. He cooked dinner, ate quietly, cleaned up meticulously, and spent the evening at his computer, reading up on this strange, modern world. At exactly ten-thirty, he turned off the lights and lay down.145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm1vzmLjNtc
For someone like him—someone who could go without sleep for days—choosing to rest early was more a matter of principle than need. The Demon King who wished to live in peace needed a routine, after all.145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtkylOgz7S8
And so, he drifted off.145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgRDE3BbNr0
…145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8QzsAOCjcg
The night passed without incident.145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHxlRHv5UQx
At seven sharp, his eyes opened right before the alarm went off. He got up, washed his face, ate the leftover dinner, and slung his bag over his shoulder. The air outside was crisp and clean. The faint fragrance of spring flowers mixed with the chill morning breeze, brushing against his face and waking him completely.145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs9QCd1SpyT
The warm sunlight spilled down between buildings, soft and golden. It was almost… comfortable.145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKuaIZTvCVE
He glanced at the door beside his. Still closed. He wondered vaguely if the angel was awake, then shrugged it off. No reason to care.145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWd0OdkxVtj
Walk together with her? Not a chance.145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT2aHDIsznY
The Demon King preferred solitude over holy company.145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTYjTSTACDp
…145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCwp4qATp4Y
Kouya disliked buses—the exhaust fumes made his head ache. Since school wasn’t far, walking was better. The rhythmic sound of his own footsteps against the pavement was oddly soothing.145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoMjdqy11nt
But halfway down a narrow street, a familiar, panicked voice broke the calm.145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Mdyac3dpy
“D-don’t come any closer!”145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIduh7Xezlj
A low growl followed, echoing through the alley.145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKEr1gGqTUQ
“I am the great demon Satania! The one destined to rule Hell itself! If you value your life, flee before my terrifying power!”145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkomsofaOU2
The growl got louder.145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1yn8ob137U
“You still dare defy me? Then I’ll unleash my ultimate—ahhhh! No, don’t—!”145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyCsTnBOHuC
Then came a desperate cry.145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6GZmrKtu9D
“No! That’s my most precious thing!”145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoacVvrUYMy
Kouya stopped cold.145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY03XLTwcMb
‘What the hell is going on now?’145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVjrRfaGoQ0
Was a demon beast attacking a girl in broad daylight?145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEHYjxPjJRr
Heart heavy with suspicion, he turned the corner—and came face to face with the “beast.”145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvLMYzZEM3F
It was charging toward him, eyes round and wide, staring straight into his.145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡadtEeZEVNw
“……”145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaILz0KE52H
They locked eyes. The world went silent.145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkdiiS8zXir
Kouya groaned softly and rubbed his temple. He felt a headache forming.145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhOqODJmeZa
“Woof! Woof!”145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVQSERMlTIW
The so-called monster barked triumphantly, tail wagging as it strutted away on short legs like a victorious general.145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN11PMNeQsL
“Ugh, it stole my bread again! Why does this keep happening…?” wailed the girl’s voice, thick with tears.145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM2xtfw3T0B
Kouya glanced at her—red hair, small horns, ridiculous expression. The self-proclaimed “Great Demon Lord Satania” sat on the ground, sniffling.145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4qlKPokTpV
Well, at least the “enemy” was clear—a stray dog. White fur, sharp eyes, and a chunk of pineapple bread in its mouth. A pitifully normal thief.145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcqpUIQxf3E
‘You’ve embarrassed all demons everywhere. Losing your breakfast to a dog? I should exile you from Hell myself.’145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsPetvOcgE1
He approached, looking down at her with faint annoyance.145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbgOXjb38i7
“Get up.”145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm7vpPnx8Td
She looked up, blinking tears away. “Y-you’re helping me?”145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm4G6NftLHg
“No.”145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrCmeJyvgnW
“Eh?”145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeK9DevbcxA
“You’re blocking the way.”145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjfnYp3Rjq9
Her lips trembled as she stood, muttering under her breath. “Kouya-kun, you’re so mean…”145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx1EHwsYkT5
“Hm? You know my name now? Yesterday you didn’t.”145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmNiuiVz94L
“Ahaha…” She turned her face away, staring at the blank wall as if it were fascinating. “I-I didn’t go asking around or anything!”145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6QihZPnOUR
Kouya sighed inwardly. ‘If I stay here any longer, I’ll lose brain cells.’145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdBzDqKmhr8
…145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVCBN64wGxz
The morning classes passed slowly. The sunlight was warm, but Kouya couldn’t relax. Not with Gabi-chan—the perfect, rule-following angel—around.145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjLfUlxVeHf
In fact, she’d become something of a class mascot. Everyone adored her.145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl1funpUmw7
She smiled like she radiated light. She helped everyone. She even took orders from that red-haired idiot.145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoWdIyrEinm
“Gabi-chan, I want juice.”145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxmaBVBtrnd
“Of course. Here you go.”145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXUBg7kpNmi
“Gabi-chan, can I borrow your notes?”145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4xehOrrUsi
“Sure! I copied Satania’s handwriting for fun.”145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9GVrWwxHAO
“Gabi-chan, my shoulders hurt.”145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡihgyFekAZC
“Then let me massage them!”145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxL6r4JYLO7
Kouya buried his face in his hand. ‘What a saintly idiot. They’re treating her like a servant, and she’s loving it!’145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwtfmMY3uam
Then, during class, she passed him a note.145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC0i7pvDdke
“Kouya-kun, are you free tomorrow?”145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrADZoTpeQe
He frowned, scribbling back: “Why?”145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCJ5WRZAkOh
“I want to thank you for helping me. If you don’t mind, please come have lunch at my place tomorrow.”145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOTalaKdSiz
His reply was immediate: “No.”145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL1KwgQmWPu
But Gabi-chan didn’t back down. “Kouya-kun helped me, and I can’t rest until I repay you.” She’d even drawn a little doodle of a teary angel beside it.145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0B7aTWDybG
He wanted to say no again—but she lived next door. There was no escaping her persistence.145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTB9toBWtWL
Skipping lunch to hide from her? Ridiculous.145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVgb5eJLcHl
That would look like defeat.145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgonmdUTwI8
“…Fine. Just this once.”145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrEbzsHKd9j
…145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ17UCuiH0dw
By lunchtime, Kouya escaped to the rooftop again. He bought some bread and water and planned to eat in silence.145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOnG9x8VBcK
Of course, Satania was there too, clutching two rice balls and pretending she wasn’t looking at him.145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6cWzGtwL8p
He sighed. “You always eat alone?”145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSvg5adIoJ8
“W-what? Of course not!” She flailed, cheeks flushed. “I just prefer to dine in solitude like a true demon! Not because I’m jealous or anything!”145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrwLdzuFyeX
‘Yeah, right,’ Kouya thought. ‘You’re just lonely.’145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB2hUsrr4I8
Still, he didn’t press. Solitude suited him fine too.145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ORpaAqbUL
…145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZL9DNdkQ2v
Days blurred together. Before long, the first week of the new semester was over.145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGUmv6PgVtG
After school, Kouya’s phone buzzed. Caller ID: Cousin.145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSlMaF7zrK0
He hesitated, then answered.145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ01rC4l9TEn
A warm, slightly husky voice came through. “Hey, hey, Kouya? That you?”145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAY7XXNsfn5
“It’s me.”145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIojbSOr9s3
“I’m your cousin Kobayashi,” she said with a small laugh. “I was supposed to pick you up for the opening ceremony, but something came up. I only just got some free time—sorry about that…”145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcumpMvLe4z
“Anyway, Kouya, come to my place for dinner tonight.”145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaYfYNPdwS3
He instinctively said, “No need.”145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwrhK1v9Z9K
He didn’t like going to unfamiliar places, even family’s.145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpVODiYIf75
“You’re not still mad at me, are you?” she asked softly.145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE85dj0FElC
“…No.”145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVsHZ588Roe
“Then come over tonight! Or I’ll come find you!” she declared, her tone playful yet commanding145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdh9e1IXszk
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