Chapter 77: Why Are You So Skilled at That
The three of them entered the cafeteria together. The place was buzzing with noise, filled with students chatting and the clattering of trays and chopsticks. The smell of food wafted through the air, mixing together into a strange but strangely comforting aroma. Vigne led the way, calm as always, and patiently showed Takanashi Rikka how to use the ticket machine. "You put the coins in here, press the dish you want, and take the ticket that comes out. It's pretty simple once you try it."
Rikka stared at the glowing buttons like they were some kind of mystical device. "It's like an ancient artifact from another world..." she muttered, eyes sparkling with wonder.
Vigne giggled softly, shaking her head. "The udon here is really good, and the tomato scrambled eggs are also great..."
"T-Tomato scrambled eggs?!" Rikka suddenly took a big step back, eyes wide as if she'd just heard the name of some forbidden curse.
"That kind of thing will make you sick! It's dangerous food!" she declared dramatically, clutching her chest.
Vigne blinked at her, caught between laughter and disbelief. She was gradually learning that everything the ahoge girl said sounded like it belonged in a fantasy novel. "You're just a picky eater, aren't you? For example, Kouya doesn't like green peppers. Last time at the café, he—"
Vigne froze mid-sentence, her cheeks flushing pink as if she had just remembered something embarrassing. She quickly looked away, clearing her throat. "Ahem... Anyway, it's fine if you don't eat tomatoes. Let's go look around first and see what else you'd like."
After a few moments of browsing, they finally bought their food and sat down at a quiet corner table. The cafeteria was filled with noise from every direction, but their little corner felt oddly peaceful. Vigne opened her neatly packed bento box, while Kouya placed two cups of cola on the table, sliding one toward her.
"W-What are you doing?" Vigne asked, startled by the sudden gesture.
"It's better to have a drink while eating. You'll choke otherwise."
"Th-Thank you..." she said softly, cheeks reddening as she wrapped her fingers around the cold can. "I'll pay you back later for the cola, okay?"
Hmph, whatever. It's not like I bought it with any deep meaning. It was just convenient.
Vigne smiled faintly and took a small sip, the carbonation making her nose wrinkle slightly. She quickly began eating, chatting between bites while trying to draw Rikka into the conversation. It was a one-sided effort at first — Rikka kept bringing up terms like "unseen boundaries" and "magical interference." But Vigne's kindness was patient and endless.
After some painfully awkward exchanges, she managed to piece together fragments of information.
First, the ahoge girl was definitely a full-blown chuunibyou case. She lived in a world where fantasy and reality blurred constantly. Oddly enough, Vigne thought she might actually get along quite well with Satania. Two disasters meeting might just cancel each other out.
Second, the so-called Invisible Boundary Line was apparently a dimension that existed between worlds — or at least in Rikka's mind. She was convinced something precious was hidden there, something she had to find.
And finally, there was this Bureau Chief of the Unseen Boundary Administration who supposedly monitored her life. Vigne translated that mentally: probably her guardian or an overprotective relative.
No matter how she looked at it, Rikka was a girl worth worrying about.
...
The afternoon drifted by quietly. The dull rhythm of classes made even time feel sleepy.
When the school bell rang, Kouya stretched lazily and began to pack up.
"Kouya, could you please take Rikka home?" Vigne's gentle voice reached him before he could escape.
She stepped closer, biting her lip, her tone slightly hesitant. "I heard from Rikka that she lives in your apartment complex, but since she's new, she doesn't really know the way back..."
How the hell did she manage to come to school this morning, then? It's not like she teleported!
"I still have cleaning duty today and might be stuck until late. So could you help her out, please?"
Then, almost as if to sweeten the deal, she added shyly, "As a thank-you, I'll make you a bento tomorrow. Homemade. With something you like."
Her cheeks flushed a deeper red, her gaze meeting his expectantly.
Kouya sighed inwardly but nodded. Fine. A free homemade meal wasn't something to refuse.
"Let's go," he said simply.
Rikka brightened instantly, nodding so fast her ahoge wobbled wildly. She followed behind him like a small, excited puppy.
In class she'd been silent, almost invisible, but now that school was over, her chuunibyou personality came roaring back.
"Hero, Hero! Let's go search for the Invisible Boundary Line together!"
"No thanks. Not interested."
"Why not! You're my destined Hero! We've already formed a sacred contract!"
When the hell did that happen?! I'm not your Hero — I'm a Demon King! If anyone's destroying worlds, it's me!
Rikka pressed closer, lowering her voice to a whisper filled with drama. "Have you forgotten? The night before last, the wheels of fate began to turn. Our souls intertwined beneath the moonlight, and today... we meet again!"
Before Kouya could tell her to shut up, a glimmer of white hair caught his eye.
"Good afternoon, Kouya, Rikka." Raphiel stood elegantly by the roadside, her school bag in hand, silver hair fluttering softly. The sunlight reflected off her like she was carved from glass, that gentle smile perfectly composed.
Beautiful. Graceful. Her silver hair shimmered like liquid light, her skin was flawless, and her soft pink lips curved in a way that could melt any boy's heart. She was the kind of person who made time pause when she entered the frame.
Too bad neither Kouya nor Rikka gave a damn.
Rikka immediately stepped back, eyes narrowed in suspicion. "It's that dark creature from this morning! You've come to challenge us again, haven't you?!"
Raphiel chuckled softly, tilting her head. "My, Rikka, you really are such a fun girl. But I'm just an ordinary high school student. Why would I duel anyone?"
Ordinary, my ass! You're a devil in an angel's skin! You enjoy tormenting others for fun! The moment someone lets their guard down, you've already got them tied up in some twisted experiment!
"It seems we're going the same way home. Why don't we walk together?" Raphiel said, smiling with infuriating sweetness — and without waiting for permission, she fell into step beside Kouya.
...
Soon they reached the busy after-school snack street, the air thick with savory smells. Steam rose from food stalls; people chatted, laughed, and chewed. The scent of takoyaki, grilled squid, and sweet crepes filled the air.
Raphiel inhaled deeply. "Mmm~ it smells amazing~"
You can admire the food without staring holes into my face, damn it! Don't open your eyes that wide!
"Kouya, I want some takoyaki," she said in a honeyed voice.
Then buy it yourself! Why are you giving me those puppy eyes!
She pressed her fingers together, smiling innocently. "Well, I might have spent a little too much over the weekend, so... I'm kind of broke. Could you lend me a bit, Kouya?"
If you're broke, that's your problem! And quit acting cute when you're basically scamming me!
Then she bit her lip, lowering her lashes. "In that case... I'll offer collateral."
Her delicate hand slid down to rest on her thigh. "How about my stockings?"
Oh, for the love of— SHUT UP!
Who the hell would want that?! Used stockings aren't treasure!
"If it's you, Kouya, I don't mind..." she whispered, her tone dripping with mock innocence.
I mind! I mind very much!
Raphiel's eyes curved slyly. "If that's not enough, we can always add Rikka's stockings to the deal."
Rikka's eyes went wide. "W-What are you saying! I knew it! You are a creature of darkness luring others to sin!"
"Oh, relax. Taking off stockings isn't hard. I've done it many times before~"
Is that supposed to be an accomplishment?!
And why the hell are you so skilled at it?!
Kouya glared, jaw tightening, but in the end, he still lent her 10,000 yen — more to shut her up than anything else.
"Three orders, please," Raphiel said cheerfully.
"Coming right up!" the middle-aged lady behind the stall replied.
The takoyaki balls sizzled on the hot plate, the sauce bubbling and caramelizing as the aroma spread through the air. Just watching them cook was enough to make Kouya's stomach grumble.
As she worked, the vendor began chatting — because, of course, she did. "You three are from the nearby high school, right? I see this young lady a lot in the mornings. She's always feeding the stray dogs by the alley. Such a sweet girl."
She was talking about Raphiel?
Who would've guessed this manipulative angel actually had a kind side buried somewhere deep under all that evil?
"Young man, girls with kind hearts like her are rare. You should treasure her."
Treasure her?! Are you blind, lady?! She's a walking disaster!
"A boy should always be considerate toward girls," the vendor added wisely, flipping the takoyaki with precision.
I am considerate! Too considerate! If I weren't, this black-hearted angel would've been exorcised long ago!
"And you shouldn't stay so quiet. How else will a girl know your feelings?"
Kouya choked. "Pfft—"
He nearly spat out blood.
Stop talking before I lose my sanity! Just focus on the takoyaki, damn it!
...
By the time they crossed the bridge, the evening sun had turned the sky into molten gold. The river rippled below, sparkling like liquid glass. The air was calm, touched by the fading warmth of the day.
Raphiel waved softly, her hair glowing in the light. "Well then, Kouya, Rikka, I'll be heading off. See you tomorrow~"
Rikka and Kouya continued toward their apartment complex. They lived close but not in the same building. The walk was quiet except for Rikka humming some tune that probably only existed in her fantasy world.
Once he dropped her off, Kouya took out his phone and opened LINE.
"What are you trying to do?" he typed.
Something's not right.
After what happened Saturday night, shouldn't she be keeping her distance? Why was she getting bolder instead?
The reply came almost immediately.
"Even if you say that... I'm just curious, that's all~" Raphiel wrote, followed by a pitiful cat emoji with teary eyes.