Chapter 6: Gabi-chan’s Tail274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGFxkdKgfbI
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.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyx7KJM66IN
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.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRy2wIoWU8b
“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.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3jie1jE4WO
“Mm.”274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwImJ4A6kcP
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.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVJfU3f3L71
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.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgycEPPpmKl
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.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJSgnghc3fB
Footsteps. Light, hesitant, and close.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpr4eBLRAZG
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.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡib4d7JTmqa
“What’s this stupid angel following me for?” Kouya thought, his brow twitching. “Did she… discover my identity?”274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgj2KVuhsLc
Then he scoffed inwardly. “No, impossible. Unless the God King himself came down to earth, there’s no way she could.”274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡncfa5Yah4T
He shook his head and sighed. As long as she didn’t interfere with his peaceful daily life, it wasn’t worth his attention.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ19FJi39acN
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.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkjZCGpdaEv
Yet, the footsteps behind him didn’t fade. They followed him all the way up the stairs, right to his door.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA6m8rDHfk1
That was it.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnvUaW4yTRs
Kouya turned sharply, irritation flashing across his face.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7rBzcVECjw
“Hey. Why are you following me?”274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAZa2hLZEFf
Gabi-chan blinked rapidly, her cheeks flushing pink. “N-no, you’ve got it wrong, Kouya-kun.”274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmdMNTCu17B
‘Wrong, my ass! You’ve been tailing me since the supermarket!’ he screamed internally. ‘What are you, a stalker? You think I’m blind?’274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNYxZhq3En1
“Um, Kouya-kun, really, you’re misunderstanding.”274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpB2ptfr7NO
“I believe my own eyes—”274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAjDl7eEJrn
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.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6wR7QchX0M
Kouya stared blankly. “……”274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsKRJY5922s
‘No way… this dumb angel is my neighbor?!’274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE2MI1W3U65
‘You’ve got to be kidding me. Damn it, of all people!’274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Xq8N1ni5u
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.”274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzEVLbeGVQ2
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.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqVevjxarl7
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.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyCzSPG4QtK
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.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAEXaOVBI7C
And so, he drifted off.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1CyR4sRz4T
…274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIphF8aofwp
The night passed without incident.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ76yh8vxwr
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.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFBkcNdKhUY
The warm sunlight spilled down between buildings, soft and golden. It was almost… comfortable.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM0rUDr8pJ6
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.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1zxAVCHUkf
Walk together with her? Not a chance.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb3eNP0GKpK
The Demon King preferred solitude over holy company.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8te6LpMxzw
…274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPcHlRWkc1y
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.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLbjE01T1cK
But halfway down a narrow street, a familiar, panicked voice broke the calm.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgA06I5R1az
“D-don’t come any closer!”274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9jcGKBtmSG
A low growl followed, echoing through the alley.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡotb66RxqpW
“I am the great demon Satania! The one destined to rule Hell itself! If you value your life, flee before my terrifying power!”274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpi5nmNGhQ7
The growl got louder.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzKhNV9IpHd
“You still dare defy me? Then I’ll unleash my ultimate—ahhhh! No, don’t—!”274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡktyDOTkOT5
Then came a desperate cry.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCSzi6RlkSw
“No! That’s my most precious thing!”274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK5jMKx00ac
Kouya stopped cold.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAK1OZmJ8vo
‘What the hell is going on now?’274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ8gDBquYY7
Was a demon beast attacking a girl in broad daylight?274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ4AoiDCayi
Heart heavy with suspicion, he turned the corner—and came face to face with the “beast.”274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlEssvsBJ9x
It was charging toward him, eyes round and wide, staring straight into his.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvLif6KUkv1
“……”274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ02obkkXBXX
They locked eyes. The world went silent.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSTi2UBmYue
Kouya groaned softly and rubbed his temple. He felt a headache forming.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtlLlGyOmo6
“Woof! Woof!”274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMSXtu7gDJH
The so-called monster barked triumphantly, tail wagging as it strutted away on short legs like a victorious general.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTnhv5gumEB
“Ugh, it stole my bread again! Why does this keep happening…?” wailed the girl’s voice, thick with tears.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBmSOCv4lid
Kouya glanced at her—red hair, small horns, ridiculous expression. The self-proclaimed “Great Demon Lord Satania” sat on the ground, sniffling.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5yAYRcXvjE
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.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr4odYaIqvg
‘You’ve embarrassed all demons everywhere. Losing your breakfast to a dog? I should exile you from Hell myself.’274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgtpk58iGG6
He approached, looking down at her with faint annoyance.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmBC4M6fKv8
“Get up.”274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIsVOh6ZDpo
She looked up, blinking tears away. “Y-you’re helping me?”274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNleTN1PxeL
“No.”274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9NIvdosnjt
“Eh?”274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZgP4Vh4C7z
“You’re blocking the way.”274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ82Hi8bZuc9
Her lips trembled as she stood, muttering under her breath. “Kouya-kun, you’re so mean…”274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvwHNYiuFfv
“Hm? You know my name now? Yesterday you didn’t.”274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzjbANYYBaN
“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!”274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkzCSxKDTBJ
Kouya sighed inwardly. ‘If I stay here any longer, I’ll lose brain cells.’274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3hXO5kibh0
…274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNXsnjnyVHh
The morning classes passed slowly. The sunlight was warm, but Kouya couldn’t relax. Not with Gabi-chan—the perfect, rule-following angel—around.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjvSOR96iQ3
In fact, she’d become something of a class mascot. Everyone adored her.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj1kkztOKp3
She smiled like she radiated light. She helped everyone. She even took orders from that red-haired idiot.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcVQn3xpq0o
“Gabi-chan, I want juice.”274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtislNjW00y
“Of course. Here you go.”274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuXildglpcr
“Gabi-chan, can I borrow your notes?”274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYaEfLxijqB
“Sure! I copied Satania’s handwriting for fun.”274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoa0ytIzqZc
“Gabi-chan, my shoulders hurt.”274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDo7kRzlpLc
“Then let me massage them!”274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1YRM4AX7ze
Kouya buried his face in his hand. ‘What a saintly idiot. They’re treating her like a servant, and she’s loving it!’274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbxBCBO5Mkm
Then, during class, she passed him a note.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6o4NDk6XW9
“Kouya-kun, are you free tomorrow?”274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdlGWSJLozJ
He frowned, scribbling back: “Why?”274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡosndgkiA8j
“I want to thank you for helping me. If you don’t mind, please come have lunch at my place tomorrow.”274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx4ckFOIv1Z
His reply was immediate: “No.”274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwaZTV9lvOa
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.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUsPheBMIRv
He wanted to say no again—but she lived next door. There was no escaping her persistence.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb8HGZxX5Be
Skipping lunch to hide from her? Ridiculous.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrknMYXOf10
That would look like defeat.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmKORSaNOnq
“…Fine. Just this once.”274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzn2Li12IgJ
…274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5pgO7PS97w
By lunchtime, Kouya escaped to the rooftop again. He bought some bread and water and planned to eat in silence.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxwQsYUTu3z
Of course, Satania was there too, clutching two rice balls and pretending she wasn’t looking at him.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBnUs1a2Aup
He sighed. “You always eat alone?”274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl5IsWEIxdK
“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!”274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0xS0gWUMHX
‘Yeah, right,’ Kouya thought. ‘You’re just lonely.’274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhaNGVDCZcM
Still, he didn’t press. Solitude suited him fine too.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuMsztdZBAX
…274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW4z70cULlM
Days blurred together. Before long, the first week of the new semester was over.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Bg4Bi2BYm
After school, Kouya’s phone buzzed. Caller ID: Cousin.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxvxdrc1fyv
He hesitated, then answered.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1A9N9dWuc9
A warm, slightly husky voice came through. “Hey, hey, Kouya? That you?”274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5hzGgzaFPp
“It’s me.”274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNsrjJZycSk
“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…”274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC6u155ZKi7
“Anyway, Kouya, come to my place for dinner tonight.”274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2HzEcltzjN
He instinctively said, “No need.”274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzHJADSYTIh
He didn’t like going to unfamiliar places, even family’s.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTXKdP5RIjp
“You’re not still mad at me, are you?” she asked softly.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPhu0vXKbMu
“…No.”274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf56SgQITKu
“Then come over tonight! Or I’ll come find you!” she declared, her tone playful yet commanding274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡspmToj2x55
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZCNU2GDVVk
1234 copyright protection270ＰＥＮＡＮＡeNcLVwiLK4 尼

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