Chapter 81: Vigne's Homemade Lunch
"Hey hey, Takanashi-san and Satania actually get along surprisingly well," Raphiel said with a serene, teasing smile that carried just a hint of amusement.
Birds of a feather flock together—idiots and chuunibyous living in perfect harmony wasn't all that strange. In fact, it was the most natural disaster imaginable.
"Why are you walking with Satania?" Kouya asked, raising an eyebrow.
He had already canceled their master-servant contract yesterday. There was no saving that red-haired idiot—Satania was the very definition of a lost cause, the kind of person you could lead into battle but who'd still trip over her own tail.
"Because she's just too much fun," Raphiel said sweetly, her eyes narrowing in a catlike smile. There was a subtle, dangerous amusement behind her tone. "So, I decided I'll stay at her house for a while."
What the hell?! That's not mercy—that's psychological warfare!
Bullying the gullible is a sin, Raphiel! And you're turning it into an art form!
Seriously, anyone who smiles with their eyes closed like that is up to no good!
...
As they neared the school, Kouya caught sight of someone standing on the arched bridge up ahead. The morning sunlight spilled over her, glimmering off her soft hair that swayed gently in the wind. Her skirt fluttered, her figure still, calm, almost painterly. For a brief moment, she looked like something out of a dream.
"It's Vigne!" Satania waved frantically, nearly tripping over her own feet. "Over here!"
Vigne turned her head at the call. Her crimson eyes lit up faintly before she bit her lower lip, composing herself.
When the group reached her, Raphiel tilted her head and smiled. "Vigne-chan, you're usually the first to arrive at school. Why so late today?"
Vigne's gaze flicked briefly toward Kouya before she hid her bag behind her back, speaking quickly. "I-I was just worried about Satania. She didn't show up yesterday, so I wanted to check on her."
Raphiel clasped her hands together like a saint in prayer. "Ah, don't worry. As long as I'm here, Satania-sama is in good hands."
"That's exactly why I'm worried!" Vigne said, pressing a hand to her forehead in despair.
And so, their merry little circus gained another member.
When they reached the school gates, Kouya didn't think much of the crowd at first. But soon, he felt it—the strange shift in atmosphere, the prickling sensation of countless eyes on him.
Whispers buzzed through the air like static.
"Damn it! School's only been open for a month and he's already walking with a harem of girls!"
"That's what a normie looks like, huh?"
"I hope all normies explode!"
Kouya sighed. This school had once been an all-girls academy, and only recently began accepting male students. Many of the guys who enrolled were there for one thing—girls. Even the body's original owner had the same motivation.
He could accept their jealousy—it was inevitable.
But what threw him off were the female students glaring daggers at him.
"Ugh, why is Shiraha-san walking with a guy?! She must've been forced!"
"There's no way someone as graceful as Shiraha-san would actually like a man!"
"That man should just vanish already!"
...
What the hell, seriously?!
Why are the girls saying this?!
You're supposed to be jealous of her, not me!
Don't tell me this is some leftover 'yuri' spirit from the school's past—have you all already switched teams?!
...
By lunchtime, the atmosphere had returned to normal.
Most students went outside to eat or socialize, leaving only a few behind in the classroom.
Kouya's eyes met Vigne's. She hesitated for a moment before standing, quietly leaving the room.
A few seconds later, his phone buzzed.
"Come outside. I'll give you the lunchbox."
Seriously? You could've just handed it to me normally! Why turn this into a secret agent mission?
Kouya sighed and stood, heading toward the door. But the sound of footsteps followed—he didn't even have to look to know who it was.
"Hero, are you going to eat lunch?" Rikka asked, bouncing beside him.
"Yeah."
"Then let me come too!" she said, her tone hopeful.
"Go eat with Satania."
"She disappeared right after class," Rikka said, pouting. "Actually, I wanted to ask my sister to make you a lunch this morning since you treated me to takoyaki yesterday."
Kouya glanced at her blankly.
She continued, sighing, "But Sis refused. She said a homemade lunch only matters if you make it yourself. But cooking is so hard! After the first time I tried and nearly burned down the kitchen, she banned me for life…"
WHAT?!
You what?!
Burned the kitchen?! That's not cooking—that's a criminal offense!
Her culinary skill must be a natural disaster. Anything she made would probably drive men to silence and women to tears.
"But if Kouya-san likes, I can learn again!" she said brightly.
"Please—no," Kouya replied flatly.
...
He reached the corner of the hallway, where Vigne waited quietly, holding a small, neatly wrapped lunchbox.
When she saw Rikka behind him, she froze for a second before speaking softly. "Here… I made this for you. I'll go now."
Go? Go where?!
You clearly wanted to give this to me earlier, back on the bridge! But because the others were there, you chickened out. And now you drag me out like we're part of some spy exchange?!
You're making this way more awkward!
"Let's eat together," Kouya said firmly.
"I-It's fine…"
"Eat together." His tone left no room for argument.
"…Alright," Vigne said quietly after a pause.
They found a peaceful spot under a large tree behind the school, where sunlight filtered gently through the leaves. The breeze carried the faint scent of blossoms.
Kouya sat down and opened the lunchbox.
The moment he lifted the lid, a gentle wave of warmth and fragrance greeted him.
Inside was a beautifully arranged meal: four rice balls wrapped in glossy seaweed—larger than average, likely made so he wouldn't go hungry—alongside tempura, grilled fish, simmered vegetables, a crisp salad, and a few bright slices of tomato as garnish.
The sight alone made his stomach rumble.
"It's nothing special. I just threw it together," Vigne muttered, turning her face away. "If you don't like it, you don't have to eat it."
Kouya didn't respond. He picked up his chopsticks and took a bite.
The rice balls were perfect—firm yet soft, warm with a subtle saltiness that drew out the aroma of freshly cooked rice.
The grilled fish flaked apart beautifully, its natural sweetness mingled with a faint, savory sauce. The seasoning was delicate but intentional.
The tempura—golden, light, and crisp—carried the satisfying crunch of freshly fried batter without being greasy.
Even the vegetables were tender, simmered to perfection.
"It's delicious," Kouya said finally. "Way better than anything in the cafeteria."
"It's not that great," Vigne replied modestly, though a faint smile curved her lips. "The cafeteria cooks in huge batches. That takes real skill."
Her humility was disarming, as always.
Beside them, Rikka opened her own lunchbox—then immediately pouted.
"My sister put the scary demon green peppers in again!" she complained.
Demon green peppers?! What are you, a fantasy novelist?! There's chili, bell, lantern, sweet, spicy—but demon peppers?!
"Green peppers are good for you," Vigne said gently. But when she saw Rikka picking them out with clear disgust, she sighed, looking like an exhausted older sister.
"If your sister made it, you should at least eat it all. It's basic manners. And you look pale—you're probably anemic. Green peppers help replenish iron."
When Vigne got serious, her gentle aura shifted. There was strength in her tone, quiet but commanding.
"B-but they're awful…" Rikka mumbled. "If I eat them all, I'll die."
"Then how about this," Vigne said after thinking for a moment. "Give me half, and you eat the rest. Deal?"
"O-okay…" Rikka agreed reluctantly.
Kouya watched them silently, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. Vigne clearly didn't like green peppers herself, yet she still offered to share them just to help.
You're no demon, Vigne. You're an angel wearing a demon's name.