Chapter 61: Squeeze Fun
Hey, hey, what's with that "Though thousands stand in my way, I'll still go forth" kind of determination? What are you planning, marching straight ahead like some tragic hero from an epic?
Are you seriously thinking about capturing that blue-eyed young dragon alive? You can't be serious!
Don't make me laugh.
That blue-eyed young dragon might look small and cute, but she's already a thousand years old, even in her juvenile stage! You wouldn't last a second against her if she got serious!
Kouya was just about to call out when he noticed something strange.
Because as Vigne approached, her entire demeanor shifted—the fire in her eyes melted away into a gaze so soft it could melt glaciers. Her lips parted slightly, her breathing grew faint, and two blushing streaks of pink bloomed across her cheeks.
That expression was one he recognized all too well…
Oh, come on!
It's the exact same face she made last week when she was cuddling that chubby orange cat in the neighborhood park!
You've already fallen for her, haven't you?!
Where's that cautious devilish aura from before? The sharp pride of a demon? Show some of that evil spirit!
"Kanna-chan, right? Hello there…" Vigne crouched down, her every movement slow and cautious, like she was approaching a wild animal.
Kanna puffed out her cheeks, nibbling quietly at her ice cream cone, eyes blank as she refused to respond.
"Um, can I pinch your cheeks? Just a little?" Vigne whispered as if she were confessing a crime. "Just once, I swear—just a small pinch."
Kanna turned her head away coldly, ignoring her completely.
Vigne froze. Then she clutched her chest dramatically, her face full of despair, like her whole world had turned gray.
Kouya sighed and muttered from the side, "Do you have food on you?"
"Yes, yes!" Vigne's eyes lit up as she fumbled open her backpack. After a frantic moment of searching, she pulled out a pack of chocolate biscuits, her hands trembling with excitement. "Kanna-chan, do you want a cookie?"
Kanna blinked, then nodded. "I want it."
To Kanna, a Vigne with food and a Vigne without food were clearly two different life forms entirely.
"Wait just a second!" Vigne tore open the package in a rush, picked up one cookie, and leaned forward. But before she could offer it, the blue-eyed dragonling opened her tiny mouth like a baby bird waiting for its meal.
"Ah—"
"W-wait, you want me to feed you?" Vigne squeaked, eyes filling with sparkly pink hearts. Her lips curved upward in a blissful smile, and she took a reverent breath before slowly offering the cookie to Kanna's mouth like she was performing some sacred offering.
Then, while Kanna was chewing, cheeks adorably puffed, Vigne couldn't resist anymore. Guided by Kouya's subtle nod, she reached out and gently pinched Kanna's face. "So soft… so round… it's perfect…"
Her eyes went completely dreamy. It was as if she'd touched the softest thing in existence—time itself seemed to stop.
Enough already! You think this is some kind of stress-relief toy?!
Let go after you pinch! Can't you see that blue-eyed dragon's looking at you like you're beneath her?
And why are you staring at me now like I'm supposed to save you? Keep feeding her, dammit!
As long as you have food, she won't care what you do!
Taking Kouya's silent advice, Vigne quickly nodded and grabbed another cookie. The instant she offered it, the disdain in Kanna's eyes disappeared, and her mouth opened again. "Ah—"
And so, the cheek-pinching resumed. Vigne's whole face glowed, her hands trembling with joy as she whispered in awe, her entire being melting into bliss.
"Me too! Me too!" Satania came running up, eyes blazing with mischief. "I want to pinch the dragon too! That's something only an S-class demon like me can do!"
The red-haired little devil suddenly grinned and pulled a small colorful bag from her pocket. "Behold! Super Magic Beans! I bought these from the Demon Realm Shopping Channel! Each one's a different flavor—it's like gambling with your tongue! Wanna try?"
Kanna opened her mouth again without hesitation. "Ah—"
And just like that—cheek-pinching times two.
Kouya blinked. "Demon Realm TV?" Seriously? The Demon Realm had its own shopping channel now? When did that happen?
Why did he suddenly have a terrible feeling about this?
If it's something that Satania recommends… it's probably toxic!
Are you sure eating those won't turn her into something weird?
Fortunately, after chewing and blinking twice, Kanna seemed completely fine. No explosions, no glowing eyes, no transformation into a rage dragon. Everyone exhaled in relief.
But then, of course, Gabriel appeared—lazy expression, blonde hair messy, holding a taiyaki she definitely hadn't paid for. "Hey, looks fun. I wanna pinch too."
Pinch your sister!
Weren't you supposed to be broke and addicted to instant noodles? How the hell do you have taiyaki? Food in amusement parks costs a fortune!
Gabriel puffed her chest proudly. "Well, I have you to thank. I'm kind of rich now…" She suddenly stopped when she saw Kouya's skeptical look and awkwardly coughed. "Never mind that. Anyway, if you're not feeding Kanna, move aside!"
She waved the taiyaki teasingly. The warm, sweet scent wafted through the air, and Kanna's eyes sparkled instantly.
Whether angel or demon, she didn't discriminate when it came to food. "Ah—"
And thus, cheek-pinching times three.
Kouya crossed his arms, counting mentally. In under ten minutes, Kanna had devoured ice cream, takoyaki, red bean taiyaki, multi-flavored magic beans, dorayaki, chocolate biscuits, and who knew what else—more than ten kinds of snacks.
Her appetite was terrifying!
Cold desserts, hot street food, candy, pastries—she didn't even hesitate! Anything edible was fair game!
Then—
A thunderous roar ripped through the air.
"What are you all doing?!"
BOOM!
A surge of dragon's might exploded outward, shaking the air. The entire amusement park froze as if the world itself held its breath.
Vigne, Gabriel, and Satania all turned white. Their heads snapped toward the source—and there she was.
A towering figure strode forward: a maid with golden eyes burning like suns, long horns curled from her head, her tail whipping behind her. Her aura was pure dragon wrath, so powerful it formed the phantom image of a roaring dragon behind her.
Tohru.
Gabriel, Satania, and Vigne froze like statues. The air itself seemed to weigh a hundred tons.
"W-we were just—" Gabriel tried to speak, but her words were crushed beneath that divine pressure.
"Tohru, wait. You're misunderstanding. They were just feeding Kanna," Kouya said, his calm voice cutting through the air like a blade.
Tohru blinked. "Eh? Kouya-sama?"
The fury vanished instantly. Her body relaxed as she realized who it was. If it had been ordinary humans, fine—they couldn't hurt Kanna. But angels and demons crowding around her child? She had nearly lost it.
Thank goodness Kouya intervened. Otherwise, the amusement park might've turned into a crater.
Once she confirmed Kanna was unharmed, Tohru exhaled deeply, the tension melting away. The dragon's aura faded, and the cheerful sounds of laughter and music slowly returned to the park.
Seeing everyone still pale, Tohru blinked, then grinned awkwardly. She raised a fist, tilted her head, and stuck out her pink tongue playfully.
"Sorry, did I scare you? Hehe."
"..."
"Tohru, what's going on?" came another familiar voice. Kobayashi walked over, holding a drink in one hand and squinting in confusion.
"Nothing! Nothing!" Tohru waved her hands fast, her tone suddenly sweet and her tail wagging behind her like a dog's. The proud dragon from moments ago was gone.
"Oh, Kouya? You came to the amusement park too?" Kobayashi pushed her glasses up, her sharp eyes scanning Vigne and the others before curling into a knowing grin. "Ah, I see. So that's why you turned down my invitation yesterday."
Hey, hey, what's with that smug 'I've solved the case' look?!
"Kouya's finally grown up, huh…"
You're just realizing that now? Biologically and mentally, I've been an adult for a long time!
"Already going on dates with girls, are we?"
But it's not a date! I swear it's not! I just wanted to figure out what that lazy blonde angel's plotting!
Not a date! Not a date! Not a date!
Important things must be said three times!