Chapter 179: Feeding Gabriel
When faced with Vigne's question, Kouya replied without hesitation, "Of course not." His tone was firm, his expression completely unbothered, as if the idea of doing homework itself was beneath him.
Homework? That didn't exist in his world. To him, it was an optional activity invented by teachers with too much free time and too little empathy. A true warrior never bowed to the tyranny of homework.
"You—" Vigne puffed her cheeks, her soft features tightening in frustration. She glared at him, preparing to scold, but her words caught in her throat when she caught sight of Satania wriggling on the sofa like a silkworm struggling out of its cocoon. Her red hair swayed as she twisted, her skirt sliding up enough to reveal a flash of smooth, pale thigh—and just a little more.
Vigne's eyes widened before her face darkened in horror. She quickly hurried over. "Your skirt—your skirt's lifted!"
"It's fine," Satania mumbled in a drowsy tone, curling back into the sofa. "Ever since Kouya saw my panties that one time, I've been wearing safety shorts underneath."
Vigne froze mid-step, her expression flickering between disbelief and scandal. "What did you just say?" Her gaze turned toward Kouya, sharp and questioning.
"I didn't! I didn't see anything!" Kouya's expression twitched violently. "That time, it was just the safety shorts! She's remembering it wrong!"
The moment he said it, he regretted opening his mouth.
He could already feel his brain cells dying by proximity. He swore to himself—never again would he be caught in the same room as this idiotic demon. Simply existing next to her lowered his IQ by at least twenty points.
Vigne squinted, a faint glint of suspicion in her eyes. "Why does your tone sound disappointed…? Is it because you didn't actually see her panties?"
Kouya's lips parted, but no sound came out. "…."
Thankfully, Vigne let it go with only a sigh. She turned back to Satania. "Get up already. Are you a lazy cat or what?"
Cats, for the record, could sleep up to twenty hours a day. Considering Satania's behavior, the comparison wasn't far off.
"Not getting up." Satania buried her face into the cushion, mumbling lazily.
Vigne exhaled through her nose, pinching Satania's ear gently but firmly. "It's already past seven. Aren't you going home?"
"Eh!? It's that late already!?" Satania jumped up in alarm. "The weekly special sale on the shopping channel starts now—I have to hurry back!"
Vigne groaned, rubbing her forehead. "Those shows are scams! They just trick you into buying junk!"
"They're not! I got awesome stuff from them before—screaming candy, sticky gum, bubble cola!" Satania listed proudly as she rushed to the door. She slipped on her shoes, waved dramatically, and called, "Bye, Vigne! Later, servant officer!"
Before either of them could respond, she was gone, leaving nothing but a faint echo down the hallway.
With Satania's departure, the apartment suddenly grew quiet. The hum of the refrigerator and the ticking of the wall clock filled the silence. The atmosphere turned awkward—Vigne stood by the counter, glancing toward Kouya as though the air itself had thickened.
She cleared her throat. "Kouya, it's getting late. You should head home too." Her tone was calm, polite, yet held an unmistakable finality.
"Got it," Kouya said, standing up with a faint nod.
Vigne followed him to the door, her hands folded in front of her. "Don't forget to do your homework later. And tell Gabi-chan to do hers, too."
"She won't listen even if I tell her," Kouya replied, shrugging helplessly.
Vigne paused, lips pressing together. She knew he was right. Gabriel, once an angelic model of grace, had fully embraced the life of a NEET. Gaming, snacks, and naps made up her daily routine. Cleaning her room—or doing homework—was an impossible dream.
"Still, tell her anyway," Vigne said finally, her voice softening. "And… be careful on your way home."
Her gentle tone lingered in his ears even after he left.
...
Kouya stopped at the neighboring apartment and knocked lightly on the door.
"Who is it?" came a sluggish voice.
The door creaked open. A faint wave of junk food scent drifted out, and there stood Gabriel—hair messy, eyes half-lidded, an aura of pure laziness surrounding her. "What do you want?"
"Vigne told me to remind you to finish your homework," Kouya said flatly.
"Tch." Gabriel frowned. "Homework's pointless. Cultivation's way more important. If I need it, I'll just act cute tomorrow and borrow her notes."
Kouya's eye twitched. Seriously? An angel admitting that so casually? "Shut up," he muttered under his breath. "You don't even feel shame anymore, do you?"
"Hmm?" Gabriel tilted her head innocently. "Did you say something?"
"Nothing," Kouya sighed, waving it off. "Do whatever you want. I'm just the messenger."
"Wait!" she called out before he could turn away. "I've been gaming nonstop and I'm starving. Got any snacks? Bring some over."
You've got to be kidding me. The last time she said that, she'd eaten half his stash!
"Come on! The match just started!" Gabriel's voice rose as she darted back to her desk. "And close the door when you come in!"
Grumbling under his breath, Kouya went to his room, grabbed a bag of snacks, and returned.
Gabriel's room looked worse than before. The curtains were drawn, leaving the place dim and stuffy. Empty cans and bottles covered the desk, and a garbage bag sat ominously in the corner. Two days since cleaning—and already a landfill.
"Sit down!" Gabriel shouted, fingers flying over the keyboard. On-screen chaos reflected in her bright eyes. "There's this guy named 'My Elephant Loves to Dance,' and I'm camping him till he breaks!"
Kouya rubbed his temple. "Don't underestimate elephants, idiot. They're majestic creatures."
"I want chocolate sticks," Gabriel interrupted, eyes never leaving the screen.
"Fine."
"I'm busy. Feed me."
Kouya's expression twitched. "You're getting way too used to this."
He unwrapped a chocolate stick and held it to her lips. "You didn't eat dinner?"
"Crunch, crunch!" she chewed happily. "Nope. Cooking's a pain, buying food's worse, and instant noodles are gone. I was gonna bug you anyway."
Unbelievable. How could someone fall this far from grace? An angel reduced to a junk-food parasite.
He sighed, feeding her another.
The snack was crisp and light, breaking with a satisfying crack. The sweet scent of milk chocolate filled the air—familiar, addictive. He remembered buying them last time because she insisted. In hindsight, she probably had this exact scene planned.
"Crunch, crunch! Crunch…"
Half the box was gone in minutes. Kouya reached for another, but before he could react, Gabriel leaned forward again.
"Chomp... huh?" she murmured, brow furrowing.
There was no crisp sound this time. The thing in her mouth was warm and solid—and definitely not chocolate.
She blinked in confusion. "Why's this one so thick... and why does it taste so bland?"