Chapter 6: Gabi-chan’s Tail279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSkB0nNKzS0
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.279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5MApOdYHuv
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.279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuuobjGN39L
“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.279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoDJ3QN9ChK
“Mm.”279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmRqcBcrSTh
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.279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZjO5N8Il3s
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.279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmyKF0zKVY2
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.279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8pbw1VqhPJ
Footsteps. Light, hesitant, and close.279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡue5tCOLsgU
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.279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBYyS04ON74
“What’s this stupid angel following me for?” Kouya thought, his brow twitching. “Did she… discover my identity?”279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡREKPH3VEGn
Then he scoffed inwardly. “No, impossible. Unless the God King himself came down to earth, there’s no way she could.”279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡej5MSaSq8f
He shook his head and sighed. As long as she didn’t interfere with his peaceful daily life, it wasn’t worth his attention.279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsOlT4QZ4Hk
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.279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeweRM5gTaQ
Yet, the footsteps behind him didn’t fade. They followed him all the way up the stairs, right to his door.279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD45vhzDQAn
That was it.279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9PH8Z3O1HO
Kouya turned sharply, irritation flashing across his face.279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0VhriMCycD
“Hey. Why are you following me?”279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7JwbowNblQ
Gabi-chan blinked rapidly, her cheeks flushing pink. “N-no, you’ve got it wrong, Kouya-kun.”279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLEy5ul9ZY9
‘Wrong, my ass! You’ve been tailing me since the supermarket!’ he screamed internally. ‘What are you, a stalker? You think I’m blind?’279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhu3M1YZrCC
“Um, Kouya-kun, really, you’re misunderstanding.”279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHNPoegLCam
“I believe my own eyes—”279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxljXByPTgm
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.279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiX42qMw2MQ
Kouya stared blankly. “……”279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5myY2gwSKS
‘No way… this dumb angel is my neighbor?!’279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ70MW2VyX9A
‘You’ve got to be kidding me. Damn it, of all people!’279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqKMXzOZ1NL
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.”279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0xIxqpvJWS
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.279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7wYXG4VWGM
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.279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaV0UGK91q4
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.279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO0lKQENlVe
And so, he drifted off.279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsPjAm95SY0
…279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIA189iwfjW
The night passed without incident.279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIkW47SWTFt
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.279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY8hcV47DFx
The warm sunlight spilled down between buildings, soft and golden. It was almost… comfortable.279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIsi7O1DjKa
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.279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpDXA3Kdhe8
Walk together with her? Not a chance.279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV5tMK8G6Cw
The Demon King preferred solitude over holy company.279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSuZJBNTbYl
…279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmjAdqNEmD0
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.279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8k0hnzHK2Z
But halfway down a narrow street, a familiar, panicked voice broke the calm.279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5U45M7bCXs
“D-don’t come any closer!”279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLkAutILHz2
A low growl followed, echoing through the alley.279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1RC3Vs0VqC
“I am the great demon Satania! The one destined to rule Hell itself! If you value your life, flee before my terrifying power!”279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡavpHLx0yUb
The growl got louder.279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGoUeh6d3EM
“You still dare defy me? Then I’ll unleash my ultimate—ahhhh! No, don’t—!”279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAnDVXROdtG
Then came a desperate cry.279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL1aUfR6J3d
“No! That’s my most precious thing!”279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡst5U0ataPo
Kouya stopped cold.279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCEhsyM4p04
‘What the hell is going on now?’279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKduYAxkiYd
Was a demon beast attacking a girl in broad daylight?279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUjFvVSAZFn
Heart heavy with suspicion, he turned the corner—and came face to face with the “beast.”279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAazpFG9xZM
It was charging toward him, eyes round and wide, staring straight into his.279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Bh3pI6D6I
“……”279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡobwGaUH7UE
They locked eyes. The world went silent.279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuwPReePrFv
Kouya groaned softly and rubbed his temple. He felt a headache forming.279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcNb1XJdmo8
“Woof! Woof!”279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjcqgsCU8C8
The so-called monster barked triumphantly, tail wagging as it strutted away on short legs like a victorious general.279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiIrHy6bdhL
“Ugh, it stole my bread again! Why does this keep happening…?” wailed the girl’s voice, thick with tears.279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCYLke3geiI
Kouya glanced at her—red hair, small horns, ridiculous expression. The self-proclaimed “Great Demon Lord Satania” sat on the ground, sniffling.279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbg1d4h8EDI
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.279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEgsOx6ZxXr
‘You’ve embarrassed all demons everywhere. Losing your breakfast to a dog? I should exile you from Hell myself.’279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwIjkm6XcDa
He approached, looking down at her with faint annoyance.279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGbi5GF85MM
“Get up.”279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhmGJinswLQ
She looked up, blinking tears away. “Y-you’re helping me?”279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHpLCFuptYN
“No.”279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhHO0XYcW0y
“Eh?”279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAPjy7nZUzV
“You’re blocking the way.”279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiLBlkxAyiF
Her lips trembled as she stood, muttering under her breath. “Kouya-kun, you’re so mean…”279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfTWaUGUpcq
“Hm? You know my name now? Yesterday you didn’t.”279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDxLGJdGMBN
“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!”279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8SH2h1rIKp
Kouya sighed inwardly. ‘If I stay here any longer, I’ll lose brain cells.’279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyfVhOqiKtk
…279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn4MurDwOBE
The morning classes passed slowly. The sunlight was warm, but Kouya couldn’t relax. Not with Gabi-chan—the perfect, rule-following angel—around.279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVCeERpBLRW
In fact, she’d become something of a class mascot. Everyone adored her.279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnpnDrP3BVc
She smiled like she radiated light. She helped everyone. She even took orders from that red-haired idiot.279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡemgEHiGIyA
“Gabi-chan, I want juice.”279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4pOEQTdO14
“Of course. Here you go.”279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkt5E18kNna
“Gabi-chan, can I borrow your notes?”279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh4j0B6YpaH
“Sure! I copied Satania’s handwriting for fun.”279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7JgOkYrsoB
“Gabi-chan, my shoulders hurt.”279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdKOw6WSQBY
“Then let me massage them!”279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9pigbkAldy
Kouya buried his face in his hand. ‘What a saintly idiot. They’re treating her like a servant, and she’s loving it!’279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSAMuNMb7tj
Then, during class, she passed him a note.279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc2iWXRziOi
“Kouya-kun, are you free tomorrow?”279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg5aJF6VCGg
He frowned, scribbling back: “Why?”279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkT10CF0ctV
“I want to thank you for helping me. If you don’t mind, please come have lunch at my place tomorrow.”279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUGOqkKAc1h
His reply was immediate: “No.”279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡreySSDSbGq
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.279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7YfSJXyC4q
He wanted to say no again—but she lived next door. There was no escaping her persistence.279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv628wljbeJ
Skipping lunch to hide from her? Ridiculous.279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJgkwRf5MwD
That would look like defeat.279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlE7BumspW9
“…Fine. Just this once.”279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuFvFfwMUVe
…279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEmBaOOEtgn
By lunchtime, Kouya escaped to the rooftop again. He bought some bread and water and planned to eat in silence.279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPnppxaoCrV
Of course, Satania was there too, clutching two rice balls and pretending she wasn’t looking at him.279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa1O85Ig96z
He sighed. “You always eat alone?”279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGJ7OQRhjR1
“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!”279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIeTKtyScq6
‘Yeah, right,’ Kouya thought. ‘You’re just lonely.’279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ724XEwvGCs
Still, he didn’t press. Solitude suited him fine too.279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbsCfPNqbGk
…279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxqAflrDb2m
Days blurred together. Before long, the first week of the new semester was over.279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyDkItEYTLN
After school, Kouya’s phone buzzed. Caller ID: Cousin.279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1h9NWFZRw1
He hesitated, then answered.279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnvmOYPu7Nw
A warm, slightly husky voice came through. “Hey, hey, Kouya? That you?”279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN4SI8BVDp2
“It’s me.”279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz0XQgYydpa
“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…”279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ40PQPxf9Bm
“Anyway, Kouya, come to my place for dinner tonight.”279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRU2YQhKG6S
He instinctively said, “No need.”279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHe4hZ544xk
He didn’t like going to unfamiliar places, even family’s.279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKiL21uW4Jr
“You’re not still mad at me, are you?” she asked softly.279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHN6lKVnCts
“…No.”279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ82uHdtZHDZ
“Then come over tonight! Or I’ll come find you!” she declared, her tone playful yet commanding279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQQg7t7LGye
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1234 copyright protection275ＰＥＮＡＮＡtCuHdJayUN 尼

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