Chapter 6: Gabi-chan’s Tail277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡARzkWtHUXj
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.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu3UKXeppCa
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.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyN00VKrWnD
“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.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEdiDYz4hak
“Mm.”277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQbOagqBoQw
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.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxm28lW8Kfc
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.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeBSCqDfrUD
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.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo0A4tgyuUw
Footsteps. Light, hesitant, and close.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCAJUeQ1FvZ
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.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4CF9oxmEZ4
“What’s this stupid angel following me for?” Kouya thought, his brow twitching. “Did she… discover my identity?”277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1eLY3mWqbG
Then he scoffed inwardly. “No, impossible. Unless the God King himself came down to earth, there’s no way she could.”277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7DP6Up8XUC
He shook his head and sighed. As long as she didn’t interfere with his peaceful daily life, it wasn’t worth his attention.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxki9dCSyze
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.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1oErpZl5FY
Yet, the footsteps behind him didn’t fade. They followed him all the way up the stairs, right to his door.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSTXLvVA1Xv
That was it.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNavbBTPuCD
Kouya turned sharply, irritation flashing across his face.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAe4ofpoyuN
“Hey. Why are you following me?”277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBGzIwPpAH4
Gabi-chan blinked rapidly, her cheeks flushing pink. “N-no, you’ve got it wrong, Kouya-kun.”277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUb5BJO7IAw
‘Wrong, my ass! You’ve been tailing me since the supermarket!’ he screamed internally. ‘What are you, a stalker? You think I’m blind?’277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFOpplqwpac
“Um, Kouya-kun, really, you’re misunderstanding.”277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSQKOzZvFIf
“I believe my own eyes—”277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEM7AHq2RC3
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.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvfHFi4Uhb9
Kouya stared blankly. “……”277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxSLcXHKXdJ
‘No way… this dumb angel is my neighbor?!’277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhwf0i0GZPP
‘You’ve got to be kidding me. Damn it, of all people!’277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRYasUWfAQw
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.”277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqPhWi2L0FW
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.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJa6lGuKWuB
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.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8P11Bpjj0E
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.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRHkDaZzXLO
And so, he drifted off.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCAH5Djl9Ji
…277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc7kmhijH14
The night passed without incident.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhcul7tXUo9
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.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ20jWb4QQsX
The warm sunlight spilled down between buildings, soft and golden. It was almost… comfortable.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNWdMe3f10F
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.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGFOSOhow8N
Walk together with her? Not a chance.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbd9kL5LAZt
The Demon King preferred solitude over holy company.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmKhtdhgLQB
…277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGfw6Kao6T6
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.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM1jvcjDdpw
But halfway down a narrow street, a familiar, panicked voice broke the calm.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkkB4pEb0cH
“D-don’t come any closer!”277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxuFV6CYr2m
A low growl followed, echoing through the alley.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRhfVPywCnE
“I am the great demon Satania! The one destined to rule Hell itself! If you value your life, flee before my terrifying power!”277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPsscVHwMgc
The growl got louder.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAa2RNfLd4z
“You still dare defy me? Then I’ll unleash my ultimate—ahhhh! No, don’t—!”277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQVakfygCgI
Then came a desperate cry.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgjGOXFDOf5
“No! That’s my most precious thing!”277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFFW1YM0yhj
Kouya stopped cold.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaUy5X2bFNJ
‘What the hell is going on now?’277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmFTS7HrUVF
Was a demon beast attacking a girl in broad daylight?277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMSR8d3wbql
Heart heavy with suspicion, he turned the corner—and came face to face with the “beast.”277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS1CW9PYFuH
It was charging toward him, eyes round and wide, staring straight into his.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH3CbGiaF7W
“……”277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuqjphp6rSj
They locked eyes. The world went silent.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfgxsSWUSBt
Kouya groaned softly and rubbed his temple. He felt a headache forming.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTcvgRtG4pY
“Woof! Woof!”277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDQ0u7qQ6oI
The so-called monster barked triumphantly, tail wagging as it strutted away on short legs like a victorious general.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfpaAaAnuTM
“Ugh, it stole my bread again! Why does this keep happening…?” wailed the girl’s voice, thick with tears.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBoUuOghogu
Kouya glanced at her—red hair, small horns, ridiculous expression. The self-proclaimed “Great Demon Lord Satania” sat on the ground, sniffling.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgqoTgKwgT2
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.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7OM2PgcH68
‘You’ve embarrassed all demons everywhere. Losing your breakfast to a dog? I should exile you from Hell myself.’277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8H34n8nXRU
He approached, looking down at her with faint annoyance.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHlbsvUpyeX
“Get up.”277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOvurf16fO7
She looked up, blinking tears away. “Y-you’re helping me?”277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5xODnYzWQY
“No.”277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7P0ncEaVAf
“Eh?”277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNblB0cTbeL
“You’re blocking the way.”277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡntFxWijTZv
Her lips trembled as she stood, muttering under her breath. “Kouya-kun, you’re so mean…”277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQzYi9X4HAh
“Hm? You know my name now? Yesterday you didn’t.”277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRrUB8IncXY
“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!”277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz1Q0ZRP0fp
Kouya sighed inwardly. ‘If I stay here any longer, I’ll lose brain cells.’277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsISbPBhDXG
…277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡawqvDGgc0x
The morning classes passed slowly. The sunlight was warm, but Kouya couldn’t relax. Not with Gabi-chan—the perfect, rule-following angel—around.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdwohSGmRkE
In fact, she’d become something of a class mascot. Everyone adored her.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdLRDblHHJh
She smiled like she radiated light. She helped everyone. She even took orders from that red-haired idiot.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSOS1gz1jgT
“Gabi-chan, I want juice.”277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8fYu2CSsuL
“Of course. Here you go.”277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXADeKbf1G6
“Gabi-chan, can I borrow your notes?”277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFgNJbprsh7
“Sure! I copied Satania’s handwriting for fun.”277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZDHke6PEBx
“Gabi-chan, my shoulders hurt.”277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXQY4BgRgIA
“Then let me massage them!”277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNkwPipTPy2
Kouya buried his face in his hand. ‘What a saintly idiot. They’re treating her like a servant, and she’s loving it!’277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9DhZDxXV7G
Then, during class, she passed him a note.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4BVdHo6cY1
“Kouya-kun, are you free tomorrow?”277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡChO7lMxhN8
He frowned, scribbling back: “Why?”277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7bRM5a3W3Q
“I want to thank you for helping me. If you don’t mind, please come have lunch at my place tomorrow.”277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeLWZRTa9Ke
His reply was immediate: “No.”277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡegQUMymiuZ
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.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRQ5FQLQrcP
He wanted to say no again—but she lived next door. There was no escaping her persistence.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEym2DBfT0u
Skipping lunch to hide from her? Ridiculous.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyvzYbJOiXI
That would look like defeat.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrmIiDfvdMA
“…Fine. Just this once.”277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAZL6vHMHqY
…277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYDtFVMnJGj
By lunchtime, Kouya escaped to the rooftop again. He bought some bread and water and planned to eat in silence.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI6lSFJjjHB
Of course, Satania was there too, clutching two rice balls and pretending she wasn’t looking at him.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaOLyNcMQE7
He sighed. “You always eat alone?”277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZyuJnjzywr
“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!”277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4fnUUIHEmc
‘Yeah, right,’ Kouya thought. ‘You’re just lonely.’277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4DtZu6NZlz
Still, he didn’t press. Solitude suited him fine too.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGiRMym20jP
…277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiWLsbhJXwZ
Days blurred together. Before long, the first week of the new semester was over.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxVC8spB51J
After school, Kouya’s phone buzzed. Caller ID: Cousin.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKCuL7BF6Ml
He hesitated, then answered.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNYE86MPM9W
A warm, slightly husky voice came through. “Hey, hey, Kouya? That you?”277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz4OyVW6GGv
“It’s me.”277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcjLRVIzz3L
“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…”277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1NHkhZoONn
“Anyway, Kouya, come to my place for dinner tonight.”277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ243gP7WjFQ
He instinctively said, “No need.”277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3KMClYnCEk
He didn’t like going to unfamiliar places, even family’s.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYcixwOcRh0
“You’re not still mad at me, are you?” she asked softly.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhjeLWX3XVz
“…No.”277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpipP5HoFSJ
“Then come over tonight! Or I’ll come find you!” she declared, her tone playful yet commanding277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ALAFhCwOt
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