Chapter 191: Gabriel's Sleepover
Moonlight flowed like liquid silver, spreading its tranquil glow across the quiet night streets. The air was cool and gentle, carrying the faint scent of rain-soaked leaves and the distant hum of a city slowly falling asleep.
Kouya and Vigne walked side by side, talking softly as their footsteps echoed in rhythm. The night wrapped around them like a silken curtain, and before either of them realized it, they had reached the foot of the apartment building.
Vigne stopped first, turning slightly under the lamplight. She reached out and took the shopping bags from Kouya's hands, her tone soft and careful. "I'm here. You should head home too... Don't stay out too late. And send me a message when you get back, okay?"
Ah, he suddenly wanted to say he'd like to come up for tea, maybe chat a little longer. But he could already imagine the look she'd give him if he said that—the sharp glare, the small pout, and maybe even a righteous punch for being too forward.
Kouya smiled faintly, shaking his head to banish the thought. "Alright, alright. I'll head back."
Vigne folded her arms, still looking a little worried. "Walk slowly—and don't cross at red lights."
'You think I'm a kid?' Kouya sighed inwardly. 'You don't have to remind me of that!'
...
It was well past nine now. The streets had grown quiet, the hum of daytime traffic replaced by the whisper of wind. Streetlights stretched out along the road like sentinels, painting pale gold across the pavement. Not a soul was in sight.
As Kouya crossed a small bridge, he stopped suddenly. A woman stood there, her form half-veiled in moonlight. She wore a flowing kimono that swayed like mist in the breeze, and her long silver hair shimmered with an ethereal glow. Her presence was serene, elegant—almost unreal.
But her face... had no features. Where eyes, nose, and mouth should be, there was only a faint, glowing blur of white light.
She turned toward him and bowed deeply. Her voice, when she spoke, was as cool and clear as a night stream. "Kouya-sama, I have something to ask of you."
"You know me?" Kouya raised an eyebrow, already sensing the supernatural energy radiating from her.
This wasn't a human woman. He recognized her—she was the same firefly spirit he'd seen two nights ago, back when he was with Takanashi Rikka on the hillside. Firefly spirits were weak creatures, harmless even after gaining youkai form. That was why he'd ignored her back then. He hadn't expected to see her again.
The woman nodded slowly. "Earlier this evening, I met a silver-haired ghost. She spoke of a kind-hearted man named Kouya-sama."
Kouya exhaled sharply, half in amusement. Kind-hearted? That label didn't suit him in the slightest.
"So what do you want from me?" he asked.
"When I could still take human form," she said, her voice trembling faintly, "I met an artist who used to paint landscapes on the hill. We became friends. But... my power began fading. I lost the strength to take shape. Now, he's about to be married, and I wish only to bless him one last time. Please, Kouya-sama... grant me that chance."
A few days ago, Kouya would have refused. But after spending more time with Vigne, trying to understand emotions like affection and empathy, he found himself hesitating.
He was about to answer when his phone buzzed, the ringtone shattering the quiet.
He glanced at the screen—Gabriel.
Kouya sighed and answered. "What now?"
Her voice burst through the speaker, sharp and panicked. "Where are you? Why aren't you home yet?!"
"Let me guess," he muttered. "You ran out of snacks again?"
"It's not the snacks—it's my computer! It suddenly blue-screened!" Gabriel shouted, frustration spilling out of every word. "I was about to start a raid and then—boom! Black screen! Nothing!"
"Try restarting it?" Kouya suggested dryly. Probably a virus, but he had no clue how to fix that anyway.
"I already did! It doesn't work!" she wailed. "The Array Cat guild's waiting for me! I'm their healer, their savior! Now they're doomed without me! Hurry home!"
"Yeah, yeah. I'm on my way," Kouya replied, ending the call.
He turned back to the faceless spirit. "The lake they built under the hill disrupted the earth's energy flow. Your kind draws power from the land, so your essence is fading faster. That's why you can't maintain your form."
He paused, watching her faint outline flicker. "If you want to bless him, I can restore your form. But you'll lose all your remaining power in exchange."
The spirit hesitated, her voice quiet. "I... understand."
Kouya waved a hand. "No need to rush. Think carefully. Once you decide, come find me."
She bowed again, her faint glow softening into motes of light that drifted away on the wind.
...
When Kouya reached his apartment, he was just about to unlock the door when the neighboring one clicked open.
Gabriel's head popped out, golden eyes glaring. "You're so slow! What took you so long?!"
'Yeah, sorry for not teleporting, Your Majesty.'
"I was mid-game when my computer blue-screened!" she ranted, stamping her foot. "Do you know what that feels like? I could feel the world's malice in that moment! I almost sounded the trumpet of the world's end!"
'Please, not over a game! The world doesn't deserve that!'
Her gaze dropped to the bags in his hands. "Hey, did you buy snacks?" Her voice brightened instantly.
"What are you plotting now?" Kouya asked, narrowing his eyes.
Gabriel gave an exaggerated whistle. "Oh, nothing~ I was just thinking, if you can't finish them, I'd be happy to help."
"Not happening." Kouya opened his door and stepped inside. "Goodnight."
He turned on the light, kicked off his shoes—and froze when he noticed Gabriel had followed him in.
"What are you doing?" he asked flatly. "I can't fix your computer."
"That can wait till tomorrow," she said, her hands clasped in mock prayer. Her voice took on that dramatic, pleading tone she used whenever she wanted something. "Please, let me use your computer for a while! My team needs me! Without their healer, they'll die! It'll be tragic!"
'Tragic? Without your so-called healing, they're probably winning for once.'
"You sure you want to play here?" Kouya asked.
Gabriel nodded solemnly, eyes shining with fake resolve. "I can't abandon my comrades!"
Kouya smirked. "You're not worried I'll kiss you again?"
Her face went red in an instant. "Y-you wouldn't dare! One more time and I'll sentence you to death!"
Despite her bark, she backed off fast. "Don't close the door—I'll be right back!"
Less than a minute later, she returned, now dressed in a bright green dinosaur onesie. The hood had cartoon teeth, her sleeves ended in soft claws, and a tiny tail wagged behind her as she walked.
"Out of the way! I'm playing first!" she declared, stomping forward. Her tail swung with each determined step.
The onesie was far too big, making her small frame look swallowed by the fabric. The oversized hood occasionally drooped over her eyes, forcing her to push it back with a frustrated pout. Kouya couldn't help but watch her—she looked so ridiculous that it was almost... cute.
'For a fleeting second, he imagined lifting her up like a plush toy.'
"What are you staring at?" she barked, catching him. "Keep looking and I'll gouge your eyes out!"
Kouya raised his hands in surrender. "Fine, fine. I'm going to shower."
"Good! You smell awful!" she called after him.
...
Steam filled the bathroom as Kouya rinsed away the day's exhaustion. When he came out, towel slung around his neck, the rhythmic clacking of a keyboard filled the room. Gabriel sat at his desk, eyes glued to the screen, her tail swishing every time she clicked a skill.
He grabbed his phone and typed a quick message to Vigne.
"Just got home. Took a shower."
Her reply came a moment later: "Good. I'm heading to bed now. You should too. Goodnight~"
"Goodnight," he replied.
He barely had time to set the phone down before Gabriel's voice broke the quiet again.
"AHHHH! That idiot Ayako almost wiped the team again! I swear, I'll destroy the world!"
"Pull the mobs, you moron! What are you even doing back there?!"
"You're asking why I rushed in?! Because even priests can carry!"
Kouya pinched the bridge of his nose. "Can you maybe play... quietly?"
Gabriel turned halfway around, eyes sparkling with mischief. "Not unless my mouth's full," she teased. "If I had snacks, I'd be perfectly silent."
'So that's it. The real plan all along.'
'Nothing in your mouth, huh? Fine. Let's fix that.'