Chapter 101: Marshmallow
"Maybe the real question is why the animals only bully you and no one else!" Vigne couldn't help but retort, rubbing her temples in disbelief. Satania's luck seemed to defy logic—if there was a way for the universe to embarrass her, it always found one.
"Well, perhaps it's because Satania-Sama is just so popular with animals," Raphiel said sweetly as she tried not to laugh.
Satania puffed up her cheeks and slammed her hands onto her hips. "Gabriel! Why did you suddenly call everyone out to watch a movie?" Her voice carried the righteous indignation of someone who had just been bullied by both people and wildlife.
"Tch." Gabriel yawned, barely glancing her way. "If you wanna go, go. If you don't, stay home. Why do you have to ask so many questions? Keep it up and I'll leave you here."
"Aaaaah! I'll duel you for that, Gabriel!" Satania declared dramatically, pointing her finger at her heavenly rival.
"Alright, alright, can we please just buy the movie tickets already?" Vigne sighed, feeling like she was wrangling toddlers rather than hanging out with friends.
The group trudged toward the nearest convenience store, umbrellas dripping, shoes squeaking softly against the wet pavement. The rain-washed air carried a faint chill, making the warm fluorescent glow of the store feel oddly inviting.
Convenience stores in Japan could handle almost everything—paying bills, printing tickets, shipping packages—and, of course, buying movie tickets.
Once inside, Vigne turned to Gabriel, who was distractedly browsing a snack shelf. "Gabi-chan, what movie do you want to watch?"
"Eh? I get to decide?" Gabriel blinked, then smirked. "Since we're all watching together, let's pick something epic."
"Then how about Nezha and the Transformers: The Untold Story!" Raphiel exclaimed, clasping her hands with mock reverence. "I saw the trailer online—it looked so exciting!"
That title alone was a crime against storytelling! A lotus-born kid teaming up with robots in disguise—how could that even work?! What "untold story" could possibly connect them? Would Optimus Prime install a new eco-friendly Nezha-powered engine?
Raphiel wasn't done. She leaned closer, eyes shining. "There's also The Runaway Girl and Seven Men: The Untold Story! It's supposed to be an emotional masterpiece. Men go silent, women cry, and the comment section is full of people saying, 'Bless you, uploader!' and 'Good people live long lives.'"
Vigne's smile twitched as she sweatdropped. She wisely chose not to respond. Turning toward Rikka, she asked, "Rikka, what kind of movies do you like?"
Rikka raised her hand to her eyepatch like a ritual gesture, her ahoge bouncing dramatically. Then she pointed at a random poster. "It's decided! Go forth, Tentacle Monster! Punish your enemies with your righteous appendages!"
Every customer in the store stopped what they were doing and turned to stare.
"Eh? Is there even a tentacle monster movie right now?"
"I don't think so. Maybe she means that superhero movie—Octopus Man?"
"Still… calling it Tentacle Monster sounds kinda… wrong."
Vigne covered her face. The movie's title was Octopus Man, and yet Rikka had managed to make it sound like something that belonged in a very different section of the internet.
Completely unbothered, Rikka adjusted her scarf and continued. "What about Tentacle Monster vs. Mermaid? Maybe the octopus is the descendant of the ancient Kraken!"
Vigne groaned. "As long as you're happy, Rikka…"
"And you, Satania?" she asked quickly, desperate to steer the topic away from hentai territory.
Satania rubbed her chin like an evil mastermind. "Hmm… How about The Reborn Demon Girl Conquers the World? Sounds powerful, right?"
Stop rewriting titles! It's The Reborn Mummy Destroys Humanity! Not everything is about demons!
"I've decided!" Gabriel suddenly announced, fist pumping. "Let's watch Operation Umaru! It speaks to my soul."
"Let's see… it's all-ages, so Kanna can join too," Vigne said after checking the display. She smiled. "Any objections?"
Hey, you didn't even ask me! Kouya thought bitterly.
Vigne ignored his expression entirely. "Alright, one abstention, six in favor—it's decided."
The group paid for the tickets and stepped outside again. The rain had stopped completely, leaving everything coated in fresh droplets. Sunlight peeked through the clouds, turning every leaf into a tiny mirror. The air smelled crisp and clean, like nature's reset button had been pressed.
They walked toward the subway station, chatting lightly. A faint breeze brushed against their hair, carrying the last traces of rain.
Feeling thirsty, Kouya slipped a bill into a vending machine and bought a bottle of cola. The satisfying click of the bottle dropping echoed softly.
"Stare—"
He didn't need to look to know who it was. Without a word, he bought another bottle and handed it to Kanna, who quietly accepted it with a small nod.
Then came another, more dramatic stare.
Raphiel clasped her hands under her chin, eyes wide and sparkling like a puppy begging for a treat.
"What are you doing?" Kouya asked flatly.
"I want one too," she said, tilting her head with that angelic smile that had ruined countless mortals.
Today she wore a pink one-piece dress that danced with the breeze, her silver hair shimmering faintly. For a second, Kouya almost forgot to blink.
Then she leaned closer, her voice a teasing whisper. "If you buy me one, I might start dressing like this every day. Or maybe… wear a maid outfit next time?"
"Pff—" A man nearby almost spat out his drink, choking.
Every guy in a ten-meter radius turned to stare. Jealous glares, burning envy, and whispered curses filled the air.
"He's flirting with that angel?! No way—someone get me a knife!"
"A girl that cute can't possibly be single!"
"Normies should just explode!"
"Raphiel, stop teasing him in public," Vigne said weakly, her face flushed.
"Teasing? Who said anything about teasing?" Raphiel chuckled softly. "Kouya's not just anyone, after all."
Vigne blinked in confusion. "Wait… what's that supposed to mean?"
Kouya sighed. "You want a drink or not?"
"Yes, please!" Raphiel nodded eagerly.
"Then buy it yourself." His tone was colder than the cola in his hand.
And that, ladies and gentlemen, is how you earn thirty years of bachelorhood.
…
The group boarded the train soon after. Contrary to Gabriel's earlier paranoid theories, no perverts appeared, and the trip went smoothly.
By three o'clock, they reached the movie theater. The building towered over the plaza, its glass panels reflecting the clear blue sky.
"We've got about twenty minutes. Let's wait a bit before going in," Vigne said, checking her watch.
The plaza outside was bustling. Vendors sold snacks, balloons, and limited-edition movie merchandise. Kids ran around laughing, and couples strolled hand in hand.
One small boy passed by with his mom, clutching a huge rainbow-colored cotton candy that looked almost bigger than his head.
Kanna's eyes sparkled instantly. She tugged on Vigne's sleeve. "I want that."
Vigne smiled. "You want cotton candy, Kanna? Alright, I'll take you to buy some."
Gabriel, Raphiel, and even Satania followed eagerly—apparently cotton candy had universal appeal.
Within minutes, everyone was holding their own pastel cloud of sugar. They sat together on a long wooden bench, eating in peaceful silence. The air was filled with the scent of sweetness and laughter.
Kouya hadn't planned to eat, but Vigne handed him one anyway. The texture was soft and light, melting the moment it touched his tongue.
Gabriel chewed thoughtfully. "Hey, why are there so many food stalls near movie theaters? Shouldn't people focus on the movie instead of eating?"
"Maybe eating in a theater gives some kind of bonus enjoyment," Raphiel mused, tapping her lip.
Satania nodded firmly, for once sounding serious. "No way! Popcorn's the best. It's quiet, smells good, and goes perfectly with a big screen!"
She looked around suspiciously. "And don't look at me like that! I totally didn't Google movie etiquette, okay?! I didn't!"
No wonder theaters banned outside food. Imagine someone bringing in stinky tofu or garlic dumplings—it'd be chemical warfare.
Finally, the time came to enter. As they approached the glass doors, Vigne suddenly stopped. "Wait… that girl looks familiar."
Kouya followed her gaze and saw a pale-skinned. Her features were sharp yet delicate, eerily familiar—as if she shared a bloodline with Itsuka Shido.
The girl spotted them too, froze for a second, then blushed furiously. She grabbed the red twin-tailed girl beside her, and the two dashed away like startled rabbits.
Vigne tilted her head. "Weird… wonder who that was."
Kouya watched them vanish around the corner, then shrugged. "Doesn't matter. Movie's about to start."