Chapter 6: Gabi-chan’s Tail279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡonE7V6lPVv
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡldLXuQxhn5
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFaNxg8d9I6
“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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVAkocEf0cQ
“Mm.”279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLEPbuyBSgk
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt5zPOUymlm
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXh4vEBeF1f
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRWpEEeh8OI
Footsteps. Light, hesitant, and close.279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt3G4dezvBn
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy95NFXAzB8
“What’s this stupid angel following me for?” Kouya thought, his brow twitching. “Did she… discover my identity?”279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPihTcrlX7c
Then he scoffed inwardly. “No, impossible. Unless the God King himself came down to earth, there’s no way she could.”279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4SdRJTVteW
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlIy1tIbmjv
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDyIeboJYoM
Yet, the footsteps behind him didn’t fade. They followed him all the way up the stairs, right to his door.279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXF9YctuVjh
That was it.279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsNXwfGBQiF
Kouya turned sharply, irritation flashing across his face.279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmn6bkFajt2
“Hey. Why are you following me?”279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡltibBdjtvU
Gabi-chan blinked rapidly, her cheeks flushing pink. “N-no, you’ve got it wrong, Kouya-kun.”279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGNBVqCz81R
‘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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡttXDdIZqsP
“Um, Kouya-kun, really, you’re misunderstanding.”279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSwdBlHaUph
“I believe my own eyes—”279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoJQSfEhJmN
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfa4HexRuiW
Kouya stared blankly. “……”279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡas9EbiC5jA
‘No way… this dumb angel is my neighbor?!’279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRU3La4RZ8T
‘You’ve got to be kidding me. Damn it, of all people!’279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZxc3mPtspA
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡssniqLPgcI
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl3nlzzurTU
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNdHp1566mj
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0TL3tItzq9
And so, he drifted off.279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWJIMt1O3nQ
…279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzFwOvIEXIz
The night passed without incident.279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvYSuyzhm8P
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaWJX3C0GCf
The warm sunlight spilled down between buildings, soft and golden. It was almost… comfortable.279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJyzlrxlaeN
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeFZo1iEbL7
Walk together with her? Not a chance.279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfTGNMvI5QN
The Demon King preferred solitude over holy company.279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPa8FO9a3QC
…279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLYGZV0YEZm
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLGyu6VqwVA
But halfway down a narrow street, a familiar, panicked voice broke the calm.279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJcLoZEvyfE
“D-don’t come any closer!”279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz8USM7Jtrd
A low growl followed, echoing through the alley.279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcXr7gF28Kf
“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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDSpUl86vj3
The growl got louder.279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpWU4nhoSJ9
“You still dare defy me? Then I’ll unleash my ultimate—ahhhh! No, don’t—!”279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbPdJqhMgxF
Then came a desperate cry.279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoroTn1fRVY
“No! That’s my most precious thing!”279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡimCjZrYaFv
Kouya stopped cold.279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhK8I4tXqZl
‘What the hell is going on now?’279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4qtDlOvGxh
Was a demon beast attacking a girl in broad daylight?279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ748dbJJ2zV
Heart heavy with suspicion, he turned the corner—and came face to face with the “beast.”279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPofj1QnOfG
It was charging toward him, eyes round and wide, staring straight into his.279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVMFrDVP9xh
“……”279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0XcxE7C7oM
They locked eyes. The world went silent.279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBwqIdwmUQd
Kouya groaned softly and rubbed his temple. He felt a headache forming.279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhPppZnRyu7
“Woof! Woof!”279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfQSzWpY2ei
The so-called monster barked triumphantly, tail wagging as it strutted away on short legs like a victorious general.279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvTSIsxfVuT
“Ugh, it stole my bread again! Why does this keep happening…?” wailed the girl’s voice, thick with tears.279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj5FT3Y3Wm2
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwmAqCy9pEn
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3DTnW13lHu
‘You’ve embarrassed all demons everywhere. Losing your breakfast to a dog? I should exile you from Hell myself.’279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2JiOeD80L5
He approached, looking down at her with faint annoyance.279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvkYpGphQUH
“Get up.”279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpuyJ8cAOHB
She looked up, blinking tears away. “Y-you’re helping me?”279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSOriFMCjtc
“No.”279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZuvZe5Rmhz
“Eh?”279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxwN24ldokX
“You’re blocking the way.”279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh1yT4EFsbV
Her lips trembled as she stood, muttering under her breath. “Kouya-kun, you’re so mean…”279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbhwA70S6VP
“Hm? You know my name now? Yesterday you didn’t.”279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ54gXiYyWuc
“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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnUtUtOpgAR
Kouya sighed inwardly. ‘If I stay here any longer, I’ll lose brain cells.’279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ey7VTBy8A
…279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIQjE7uAt0s
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLtmU98Buvm
In fact, she’d become something of a class mascot. Everyone adored her.279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM0ERpEAHfe
She smiled like she radiated light. She helped everyone. She even took orders from that red-haired idiot.279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXRGBsuKdOA
“Gabi-chan, I want juice.”279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs82kWdZ1fu
“Of course. Here you go.”279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVyKcWISipN
“Gabi-chan, can I borrow your notes?”279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv3JoomJq2B
“Sure! I copied Satania’s handwriting for fun.”279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj7zmIi2qjj
“Gabi-chan, my shoulders hurt.”279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ49ZoLEaK0N
“Then let me massage them!”279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ46WqQoPel4
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnmut1QR1jH
Then, during class, she passed him a note.279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY2XsWBwpP4
“Kouya-kun, are you free tomorrow?”279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBCU3iWWXmQ
He frowned, scribbling back: “Why?”279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcBTHQBecgg
“I want to thank you for helping me. If you don’t mind, please come have lunch at my place tomorrow.”279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2pmzjgA0qG
His reply was immediate: “No.”279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8OCPHiwQdc
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmQSdD72ObQ
He wanted to say no again—but she lived next door. There was no escaping her persistence.279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIAOJeR2Zwk
Skipping lunch to hide from her? Ridiculous.279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdI8xx2utMF
That would look like defeat.279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBixCRAE0ze
“…Fine. Just this once.”279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2EWdHvlkSV
…279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSu8gvcWvYt
By lunchtime, Kouya escaped to the rooftop again. He bought some bread and water and planned to eat in silence.279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡznqb8S2r7p
Of course, Satania was there too, clutching two rice balls and pretending she wasn’t looking at him.279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuLm6s8mous
He sighed. “You always eat alone?”279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbqIdx1kw0E
“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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvoDmr6RaFm
‘Yeah, right,’ Kouya thought. ‘You’re just lonely.’279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFMBvSBMR32
Still, he didn’t press. Solitude suited him fine too.279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡneHQHZVD29
…279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRFn8zIxD22
Days blurred together. Before long, the first week of the new semester was over.279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7BK4inWQLw
After school, Kouya’s phone buzzed. Caller ID: Cousin.279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF4BC2KP0V0
He hesitated, then answered.279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqXZSq4ubXx
A warm, slightly husky voice came through. “Hey, hey, Kouya? That you?”279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfmKlVqsXYI
“It’s me.”279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfcWIoiTJcy
“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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb9wLD7GvSz
“Anyway, Kouya, come to my place for dinner tonight.”279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5VvPhpGfcB
He instinctively said, “No need.”279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqRWE1dgdXc
He didn’t like going to unfamiliar places, even family’s.279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwmRnJmuuz5
“You’re not still mad at me, are you?” she asked softly.279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNTAafV4IeC
“…No.”279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6gAn6CrH9e
“Then come over tonight! Or I’ll come find you!” she declared, her tone playful yet commanding279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmCzWoukwND
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1234 copyright protection275ＰＥＮＡＮＡiLb49AVfvb 尼

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