Chapter 59: If You Don't Feed Me, I'll Just Keep Staring
Raphael froze, her brain short-circuiting for several seconds.
This guy—he actually dared to do that!
And worse, he'd had the audacity to calmly murmur, "Feels pretty good," as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
Bastard! Bastard! Bastard!
Her face flushed red with fury and disbelief. For a split second, she nearly forgot how to breathe.
"What's wrong?" Gabriel and the others turned around when they heard the noise.
Raphael's expression was priceless. Normally, she was the picture of calm elegance, always wearing that gentle, confident smile. Rarely did anyone see her show anything else.
But now? Her face was an entire drama by itself—shock, rage, embarrassment, even a flicker of guilt mixed together. Her chest rose and fell rapidly, her breathing shallow and uneven.
After a few seconds, she straightened, forcing her tone to remain composed. "Nothing. I just stepped on a disgusting slug."
"Eh? There are slugs here?" Satania tilted her head in confusion.
"Idiot, if you don't get it, stop asking questions. You're too loud," Gabriel muttered, stifling a yawn.
"Who are you calling an idiot!?" Satania barked back, her red hair bristling like an angry cat's tail.
"Who do you think?"
"You! Obviously you!"
"Tch. Then you just proved my point."
"Stop saying confusing things I don't understand, you lazy angel!"
Vigne frowned faintly. The haunted house echoed faint screams from other visitors, but Raphael wasn't someone who'd shriek over something small. Still, since Raphael clearly didn't want to explain, Vigne decided to let it go. She only cast a subtle glance at Kouya—silent, suspicious.
Amid Gabriel and Satania's endless bickering, the group kept walking toward the exit.
Raphael slowed down, falling behind. Her eyes burned with silent fury as she hissed under her breath, "You actually dared to do that..."
Kouya didn't even flinch. He simply smirked and made a subtle gripping gesture with his hand.
Message received: You play with me, I'll play with you.
"I'll tell Gabi-chan what you did…"
"Go ahead," Kouya said, shrugging casually as he walked ahead.
Raphael clenched her fists so tight her knuckles turned white. If this weren't a crowded place, she'd have already blasted him with divine light until he begged for forgiveness—or worse. She could almost picture it now.
He'd regret that smug smile.
Though, she thought with a quiet huff, maybe he'd enjoy that too.
...
The group emerged from the haunted house moments later, all of them looking completely unfazed—while everyone else stumbled out screaming or clutching their chests. The contrast was absurd.
Raphael dusted her skirt as if nothing had happened. "Let's stop by the restroom first."
"Good idea. Let's go together," Vigne agreed. For reasons no one could quite explain, girls always treated bathroom trips as sacred bonding rituals.
After speaking, Vigne looked at Kouya. Her expression said, You'll wait, right?
"Go ahead. I'll grab some cold drinks," Kouya said with a lazy wave.
His eyes met Raphael's for half a second. That tiny glance was enough to make the air between them crackle. Neither said a word, but the message was clear: this wasn't over.
...
Time passed quickly. By the time he checked his phone, it was noon.
The sun blazed overhead, baking the pavement until it shimmered. The air smelled faintly of sugar and grilled snacks from nearby stalls. Kouya wiped a bead of sweat from his neck and sighed. It was hot enough to melt a halo.
Spotting an ice cream stand nearby, he decided to treat himself.
He bought a cup of mochi ice cream and found an empty bench under a tree. The seat was warm from the sunlight, but the gentle shade offered some relief. The first bite was cool, creamy perfection—the rice coating soft, the filling sweet with just the right chill.
Finally, some peace.
Until he felt it.
A faint, prickling sensation. The feeling of being watched.
"Stare—"
He turned slowly.
A small girl stood a few meters away, wearing a blue-and-white gothic dress that fluttered gently in the summer breeze. Her big, ocean-blue eyes were wide open, locked directly onto his hand—the one holding the ice cream.
Kouya's mouth twitched. Oh no. Not her again.
"The blue-eyed dragon loli... of course. Who else would it be?" he muttered under his breath.
Why does she always appear when I'm eating!?
Do you have some kind of built-in 'Food Detection Radar' or something!?
"Come here," he said, waving lazily.
Kanna approached without a sound. Her expression didn't change. Her eyes stayed fixed on the ice cream. "Stare—"
"You came with your Kobayashi, right?"
"And Lady Tohru," she said softly.
"Where are they now?"
"They went to the restroom," she replied simply, her gaze unwavering. "Stare—"
Kouya sighed, defeated. "Alright, what flavor do you want?"
"All of them. I want to eat everything."
He nearly choked. "You what!?"
Straightforward, innocent, and completely unreasonable.
Even if I bought the entire freezer, you'd end up on a science lab table before you finished it!
"Boss, another one—mochi, right?" he called to the attendant.
"Yes, sir. One moment please!" The cheerful girl behind the counter smiled brightly.
Kouya leaned back against the bench, watching the crowd drift by. Kids laughed, couples held hands, and the occasional pigeon strutted between their feet like it owned the place. The smell of sugar and vanilla lingered in the air.
He took another bite of his ice cream. Soft rice skin, chilled cream, the faint sweetness spreading across his tongue—simple pleasures.
Until once again—
"Stare—"
He looked up to find Kanna still staring at him, her blue eyes glimmering like polished glass.
Her expression was blank, but her intent was obvious: Feed me or suffer eternal eye contact.
Kouya groaned inwardly. Damn it! Your order's almost ready! Why are you staring like that!? You look like you're casting a hunger spell!
Don't think I'll give in just because you're cute!
From the bench nearby, a couple started whispering loud enough for him to hear.
"Ugh, people these days. Buying ice cream and not even sharing with his little sister? Shameful. The poor thing looks heartbroken."
Heartbroken? She's a dragon, not an orphan!
"Such a cruel brother," the woman sighed dramatically.
Oh for the love of—since when is self-control a crime!?
The man chimed in passionately. "If I had a sister that cute, I'd spoil her every day! Buy her everything she wants, give her candy, dress her up in the best clothes, carry her around—"
Yeah, sure. Until the cops carry you away for being creepy!
The woman giggled. "Honey, let's have a daughter like her someday."
"Deal!" the man said instantly. Then he froze, realization dawning. "Wait, that kid's mixed-race, isn't she!? Hold on—you what!?"
Kouya dragged a hand down his face. Why do I attract lunatics every time I eat something?
...
A few minutes later, Kanna exited the shop, happily holding her own ice cream. She reached out and gripped Kouya's sleeve, her tiny hand curling around the fabric.
They walked side by side, her short steps matching his calm stride.
Behind them came a startled voice.
"Eh!? Who... who is that!?" Vigne's wide eyes sparkled with confusion as she pointed at the little dragon girl, completely stunned.