Chapter 55: Weekend Date?
"I'm going to heat up the lunchbox," Kouya said, lifting the small metal container in one hand as he left his desk and headed toward the hallway.
Most Japanese students were fine with eating their bento cold, but the school's cafeteria had microwaves available for those who wanted to reheat their food. Kouya could have eaten it cold—he usually didn't care—but right now, he just wanted an excuse to get out of that classroom. The air felt heavy, and the lingering stares and whispers from earlier made it hard to relax.
As he stepped into the corridor, the faint hum of distant chatter echoed from classrooms down the hall. He turned a corner and caught sight of the school courtyard through the open window—the afternoon sun poured down in soft gold, painting the benches and trees with warmth. And then, at the edge of his vision, something caught his attention.
Under one of the large cherry trees near the path sat a familiar silhouette.
Long, silky purple hair swayed gently in the breeze, strands glinting faintly under the sunlight. The girl's delicate brows were drawn together ever so slightly, her quiet profile carrying a touch of melancholy that seemed to blend with the drifting petals around her.
It was Vigne.
She sat quietly on the bench, eating her lunch alone, her movements small and careful, as if she didn't want to draw any attention. A few petals landed on her shoulder, and she brushed them off absently, her gaze lost somewhere in the distance.
Kouya watched her for a few seconds, debating whether to approach. Then, without overthinking it, he walked toward her and sat down beside her, his tray balanced casually on his knee.
"W-What are you doing?" Vigne asked, startled, her eyes widening slightly. Her voice came out soft and hurried, like she'd just been caught doing something embarrassing.
"Eating lunch," Kouya replied simply, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
He opened the bento box Gabriel had given him earlier. "This is the one that lazy girl forced on me. I thought she only knew how to eat, but turns out she can actually cook."
"Gabi-chan can cook," Vigne said after a pause. Her tone softened as she tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear. "She just... doesn't always try very hard."
"Doesn't try very hard?" Kouya scoffed lightly after taking a bite. "That's generous. It's decent at best—miles away from your cooking."
Vigne blinked, a faint blush rising to her cheeks. "Don't exaggerate. I just practice more than she does."
The bench was narrow—barely enough for four people if they squeezed in. Kouya, of course, didn't bother with personal space and sat right in the middle, leaving almost no gap between them. The faint scent of Vigne's hair drifted over, mixing with the spring air.
"Um..." Vigne murmured, her fingers tightening around her chopsticks. "The school rules say... boys and girls shouldn't sit too close together."
"Huh?" Kouya blinked.
"Our distance... it's less than a meter..." she whispered.
Are you serious?!
You're the only person in this entire school who still follows that rule! Even Gabriel, who used to recite school regulations like gospel, now spends half her time sleeping through class!
Kouya pointed toward the lawn. "Look, no one else cares. See them?"
Ahead of them, several pairs of students—boys and girls—sat eating lunch together under the trees. Judging by the giggles, the smiles, and the casual touches, none of them were keeping any 'one-meter' rule.
Vigne pursed her lips, clearly wanting to argue but unable to find a good counterpoint.
After a pause, Kouya sighed. "Honestly, I think Gabriel gave me this lunch for some weird reason. She looked suspiciously smug when she handed it to me."
"How can you say that?" Vigne gave him a gentle but reproachful glance. "You're always doubting her. Gabi-chan wouldn't do something bad." She hesitated, then added in a quieter tone, "And besides... why explain it to me?"
Her words lingered for a moment. Kouya scratched his head, unsure how to reply.
After a short silence, Vigne changed the subject softly. "How are Big Meow and Little Meow doing?"
Big Meow and Little Meow—her ridiculous names for the two Scottish Fold cats they had rescued weeks ago. Vigne was kind, no doubt, but she definitely wasn't creative with names.
"They're fine," Kouya said, chuckling. "This morning they were chasing butterflies around the garden. Looked like they were having the time of their lives."
"That's wonderful," Vigne said, her voice melting into a warm smile. "I'm glad they're happy... it's thanks to Gabi-chan."
Her eyes softened as she imagined the two cats rolling around together under the morning sun. For a moment, the tension between them eased.
The wind stirred again, scattering cherry blossom petals across the path. The trees rustled gently, pink snow falling from the branches.
One petal landed in Vigne's hair. A few strands brushed across her cheek, fluttering toward Kouya. When she realized how close they were, her face turned red, and she quickly leaned away.
Kouya only shrugged and kept eating.
When he was done, Vigne still had half her lunch left. The air between them was quiet but oddly comfortable.
"Give me your lunchbox," she said suddenly as he began to stand.
"Huh?"
"You don't like washing dishes, right? I'll clean it with mine later." Her tone was casual, but her eyes avoided his.
"Oh. Sure," Kouya said. He wasn't about to refuse that offer.
...
Time slipped by, and before long, it was the next day, Friday.
Since she gave him the lunchbox, Gabriel hadn't spoken to him again. She attended class, but always half-asleep, her head resting on her desk, golden hair spilling across her arms. When their eyes met, her expression was unreadable—blank, calm, as though nothing had ever happened.
The classroom gossip gradually faded, and life returned to its lazy, quiet rhythm.
Until that afternoon.
Just before the final bell rang, Kouya felt it again—three sharp, deliberate pokes on his back.
"Poke, poke, poke—"
Oh, for crying out loud!
Are you broken?! Why is it always three times, same rhythm, same pressure? Is that your trademark move or something?!
One of these days, I swear I'll poke you back so hard you'll regret it.
With a deep sigh, he turned around and took the note being handed to him.
He unfolded it, eyes scanning the neat, elegant handwriting.
"Let's go to the amusement park tomorrow?"
He blinked.
Then choked on his own breath. "Pff—what?!"
No way. No way.
Yesterday, she'd given him a lunchbox. Now she wanted to go to an amusement park?! What kind of cursed event chain was this?
There had to be a hidden agenda. There always was.
If she weren't an angel, he'd swear she was possessed by some mischievous ghost.
"What are you plotting?" he asked cautiously.
"Nothing," Gabriel said, avoiding his gaze. "I just thought... we could hang out."
Yeah, right.
You, the laziest creature on the planet? Voluntarily going outside? That's about as believable as Satania winning a chess match.
"It's because of that fake pig plushie!" Gabriel finally blurted, puffing up her cheeks. "I really want it! I promised someone I'd get it, so I have to go."
"Don't worry, you just have to come with me for half a day. I'll cover the tickets, lunch—everything!"
Cover my ass! A man can't let a girl pay—that's social suicide!
Wait... hold on. Isn't this starting to sound like... a date?
"This is a date, isn't it?" he asked suspiciously.
"Ha? A date?" Gabriel shot him a glare. "Don't flatter yourself. I don't even like you."
Good! Because I sure don't like you either! A lazy, game-addicted angel who pokes people for fun? Hard pass!
"Hmph!" Gabriel doodled a pig head on the corner of the note. "Anyway, for certain... unspeakable reasons, I have to go with you tomorrow. But it's not a date, okay?! Don't get any weird ideas! And I'm inviting Vigne too!"
Oh, sure. Because adding another girl makes this totally normal.
Fine. Whatever. Let's see what kind of nonsense this turns into.
...
When school ended, the air in the classroom felt lighter than usual. The week was finally over. Students laughed and chattered as they packed up, their voices filling the room with end-of-week relief.
One by one, they left in pairs or groups—some heading home, others to their clubs. Within minutes, the classroom was nearly empty.
Gabriel leaned closer and whispered, "Don't forget. Tomorrow morning, eight o'clock. We're going to the amusement park."
Before Kouya could respond, a silky voice rang out from behind them.
"Oh my, is Gabi-chan going on a date with Kouya-kun?"
"..."
Kouya froze, jaw tightening. He turned slowly.
Standing behind them was a silver-haired girl, her gentle smile far too knowing.
Raphael.
Of course. Who else could it be?
Do you have teleportation magic or something?! Why do you always appear out of nowhere?!
And why must you twist everything into something weird?!
"It's not a date!" Gabriel barked immediately, swinging her lunchbox like a weapon and smacking Raphael in the arm.
"Ow! Don't be so mean~" Raphael laughed, wrapping her arms around Gabriel and rubbing her cheek against her face. "If Gabi-chan's going on a date, I'm coming too! A lonely weekend sounds sooo boring."
Gabriel pushed her away with a scowl. "Nobody invited you!"
Raphael only giggled, eyes glinting with mischief. "But I'm curious about this Kouya-kun who managed to catch your attention. Is he as fun as Satania? Maybe if I train him a little—"
Train?!
Kouya's expression darkened instantly.
"Lady," he said flatly, "you're looking for trouble."
"Oh dear," Raphael covered her lips, pretending to gasp. "Did I say that out loud?" Then she tilted her head, sticking out her tongue. "Oops~"
Keep your thoughts to yourself, damn it!
And stop comparing me to that idiot Satania! That's an insult I'll never forgive!