Chapter 69: Text Message War
The sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in deep gold and crimson. Clouds caught the last rays of light, glowing like embers fading into the dusk.
Laughter from the amusement park drifted across the cooling air. Families, couples, and groups of friends began to leave in clusters, their chatter echoing softly against the hum of evening traffic. The faint scent of popcorn and cotton candy lingered, blending with the breeze.
Outside the park gates—
"kouya-Sama, Kanna and I are heading home first. I still need to cook dinner for Kobayashi-sama tonight," Tohru said brightly, clutching shopping bags full of souvenirs.
"Go ahead," Kouya replied casually, slipping his hands into his pockets.
It would have been a normal farewell if not for the two dogs—one husky, one shiba inu—in her arms. Both animals' eyes gleamed with an uncanny, mischievous light, as if they knew something no one else did.
Kanna stood beside her quietly, holding a green pig plushie, her small princess hat tilted slightly to one side. Her expression was as blank as ever, yet somehow unbearably cute.
She looked up at Kouya and said in her soft, jelly-like voice, "Goodbye, kouya-Sama."
Her tone was so sweet it could melt sugar.
Vigne bent down with a gentle smile. "Goodbye, Kanna-chan," she said, reaching out to pinch the little dragon's cheek.
Kanna's brow furrowed. "Don't."
Vigne chuckled softly. "Next time, I'll buy you takoyaki, okay?"
At that, Kanna's eyes immediately brightened. "Okay. I'll eat it."
So easy! Truly, nothing conquered a glutton's heart faster than food. Offer something tasty, and they'd follow you anywhere.
Takoyaki for a dragon. Once-in-a-lifetime deal—any takers?
After Tohru and Kanna departed, the rest of the group boarded the train home.
The ride back was calm and unusually quiet.
Maybe everyone was just tired, or maybe the day's chaos had left them thoughtful. Even Vigne, normally so talkative, sat in silence, her eyes on the window, watching the scenery blur by in streaks of orange and blue.
When they stepped off the train, Raphael was the first to speak. She smiled sweetly, eyes half-lidded. "I'll head off first. I have some… things to take care of tonight."
Something about her tone made Kouya uneasy. People who smiled like that—always smiling, always watching—were the most dangerous kind.
"I'm leaving too!" Satania announced proudly, fists on her hips. "My loyal squire, I'll give you your reward when school starts again!"
Rejected! Who the hell agreed to be your squire?! You don't even have the qualifications for that!
Vigne spoke softly next. "Then, I'll go home as well..." She turned to leave, her back straight, her voice almost lost to the night breeze. For a second, Kouya thought her eyes looked lonelier than usual. Her smile, too—faint, fleeting, not quite real. Maybe he imagined it.
When she disappeared around the corner, only Kouya and Gabriel were left.
Night had fully settled over the city.
The streets glowed with soft amber light. Far-off buildings twinkled with windows like stars fallen to earth. The air smelled faintly of the ocean mixed with city smoke.
A gentle gust of wind passed by, carrying the faint, crisp ringing of a wind chime from somewhere down the street.
Gabriel's voice suddenly broke the silence. "You did that on purpose, didn't you?" She puffed up her cheeks, glaring at him. "You could've said something earlier, but no—you waited until I embarrassed myself first!"
If you were slow, that's on you, not me.
If I really wanted to tease you, I'd have kissed you right then and there—and since you were the one asking for it, you'd have no one to blame but yourself.
After all, it's not like kissing makes the guy lose anything.
"Hmph! I'm not making your lunches anymore!" she declared.
Perfect! Music to my ears. Your cooking's a crime against humanity. The cafeteria chef's food tastes like heaven compared to yours.
Gabriel stomped ahead, sulking. Then, suddenly, she stopped, spun around, and shouted, "Wait!"
Her arms were full—stuffed toys, her precious new console—so her hat rested loosely atop her head. The streetlight shone down at an angle, casting a warm glow over her hair as the breeze made it flutter. For once, Kouya thought she looked… oddly beautiful.
"What now?" he asked.
"Come with me to the supermarket. I need help carrying things." Gabriel pouted. "I wasted the whole day, so I'm pulling an all-nighter to make up for it!"
She held up a list. "I need cola, chips, maybe some candy—gotta replenish my energy or I'll have to go out again later. Such a hassle!"
Kouya sighed. His fridge was empty anyway. "Fine. I'll grab some groceries too."
The two walked through the quiet streets until they reached the brightly lit supermarket. Inside, the air was cool and filled with soft music. They moved through the aisles together—Gabriel tossing junk food into the cart with alarming enthusiasm while Kouya grabbed the essentials.
Before long, they rolled up to the checkout counter.
"Good evening! Back from a date at the amusement park?" the cashier asked, grinning.
Why does everyone assume amusement parks equal dates?! Maybe we were investigating enemy territory!
It's like saying going to the library means studying—when half the time people are just staring at cute girls. Or visiting a café just to enjoy the air conditioning.
The cashier tilted her head. "Oh, I remember you two! You came here together a few weeks ago, right? Not many couples look that cute together!"
Oh great. That woman again.
It was late, and the store was nearly empty, so the cashier took her sweet time scanning items while chatting.
"I knew it! You two looked perfect together back then. So you're officially dating now?"
Perfect?! Lady, where do you even get that idea?!
Gabriel's face went crimson. "N-no! You've got it all wrong! We're just classmates!"
"Really?" The cashier smiled knowingly. "Because I've never seen classmates grocery shopping together late at night and sharing the bill."
Gabriel sputtered, her voice cracking. "I-I live next door to him! That's all!"
"Mhm, mhm," the cashier hummed, clearly not believing a word.
Gabriel turned and glared daggers at Kouya.
Why me?! I didn't say a thing! Glare at her, not me!
...
Later that night, Kouya was finally home. After a quick dinner and shower, he dropped into his chair, turned on his console, and booted up his favorite game. Peace at last.
The loading screen had barely finished when his phone buzzed.
Unknown number.
He frowned. Lately, he'd been getting random calls from spam numbers—rent ads, shady promotions, robocalls. He pressed decline without a second thought.
The phone rang again.
He sighed and declined once more.
A few seconds later, a new sound—text notification.
He glanced down.
"Scumbag-kun, I'm waiting for you at the east gate park."
Kouya blinked. Huh?
Raphael.
Of course. Who else would start a message like that?
She was seriously texting now? Was she planning to take revenge for the 'incident' earlier?
He typed back lazily:
"Not going."
I just started my match. No way I'm wasting time on her dramatics.
Her reply came almost instantly:
"What's wrong, Scumbag-kun? Too scared? Or just too pathetic to show up? Figures—you've always looked like a coward."
In the park, Raphael sat on a swing, phone glowing in her hands, her serene smile hiding the fury simmering beneath.
Forget what happened earlier? As if!
No man other than her father had ever touched her before—and that bastard had done it in public! If it hadn't been for the crowd, she might have lost control right there.
And now he had the nerve to ignore her calls twice? Unforgivable!
A new message popped up.
"Your chest itching again?"
Her face turned crimson. She nearly dropped her phone. The memory of that humiliating moment crashed back like thunder.
Her response flew out with three exclamation marks and a knife emoji.
Kouya's next text arrived calmly:
"We'll talk later. I already touched it once, and honestly, it felt pretty nice."
That bastard! That absolute degenerate!
Her fingers shook with rage as she typed.
After several fiery messages back and forth, she finally snapped.
"Forget it. I thought you were special, but you're just a coward—doing things and pretending you didn't. Don't talk to me again, or I'll report you for harassment!"
Kouya's reply appeared within seconds.
Three simple words:
"I'm coming."
Raphael froze. She had just risen from the swing to leave, but stopped in place.
What? He actually took the bait? He didn't seem like the type to fall for taunts so easily.
Another message came.
"Finished my match. Time to teach you a lesson."
Her heart skipped. The night breeze swept her hair aside as she stared at the glowing screen.
"Scumbag-kun!!!" she hissed through clenched teeth.