"Wow! She's gorgeous!"
"Is she a foreigner? That vibe…"
"She feels kind of distant."
The classmates whispered among themselves, everyone stunned by Zelel's striking beauty and singular aura.
Rei Ao arched a brow, a flicker of unsurprised amusement in his eyes.
Megumi Kato and Michiru Hyodo didn't know Zelel, but they, too, were surprised by the new student's extraordinary presence.
Standing at the lectern, Zelel ignored the many looks from below. In a cool, melodious voice—crisp as if reading a report—she introduced herself, briefly and to the point.
"I am Tenma Zelel White. I'm transferring into this class starting today. Please take care of me."
Shizuka Hiratsuka seemed a bit helpless about such an excessively formal introduction, but still led the applause.
"Welcome, Zelel."
"Mm… you can sit…" Her gaze swept the room and came to rest on an empty seat. "By the window—next to Rei Ao."
"Yes."
Zelel dipped her chin, then walked with measured steps to the vacant desk beside Rei Ao and sat, not a single extraneous expression or movement the whole way.
Once seated, she fixed her eyes on Rei Ao.
"Hm?" Megumi and Michiru both noticed the stare and found it odd, but since Rei Ao didn't react, they let it go.
In another classroom—
Gabriel sat on pins and needles the entire period. She couldn't focus on the lecture (not that she usually did). From time to time she sneaked a glance in a certain direction, wailing inwardly.
Because she could feel her sister's presence again—and very, very close!
"Why is Sis back again?!"
…
The break finally came. At the bell, Gabriel was the first to try to slip out—only for Rei Ao, who had appeared beside her desk at some point, to press a hand on her shoulder.
"Where are you going?" he chuckled. "Come meet your sister with me."
…
Rooftop.
"S—Sis… why are you…" Gabriel's voice trembled as Zelel stepped up to her.
Zelel's eyes swept over her younger sister, still strict—but compared to last night's thunder, there was a touch more resignation and the calm of a decision made.
The Nakano quintuplets were there as well. They didn't seem surprised by Zelel's appearance.
Zelel looked to Rei Ao and the Nakanos and explained:
"After returning to Heaven, I submitted a detailed report to my superiors. After discussion, Heaven has decided not to forcibly recall Gabriel for the time being."
Gabriel's eyes lit up—then the word "for the time being" made her tense again.
Zelel continued, "However, regarding Gabriel's situation in the human world and her relationship with you, Rei Ao-sama, Heaven deems closer observation and assessment necessary. As her elder sister, I also have a duty to supervise Gabriel and prevent her from… sinking further into sloth."
She paused and delivered the key decision. "Therefore, I applied for long-term residence in the human world, and I will enter this school as a transfer student to better carry out observation and supervision."
Her gaze turned to the Nakano sisters. "As for lodging, I have already discussed it with the Nakanos. They have agreed to let me continue staying at their home. I am very grateful for your hospitality."
Ichika waved her hands quickly. "Please, don't mention it, Zelel-san—really."
The other sisters nodded one after another. Though having an angel move in brought pressure, they couldn't bring themselves to refuse—and their curiosity about an angel was impossible to resist.
"W—what?!" Gabriel finally processed the dreadful news and practically collapsed, boneless, her face full of despair. "No way!!!"
Just imagining living under her sister's X-ray-like stern gaze—no more gaming at will, sleeping in, or phoning it in—made life look bleak.
Watching Gabriel's picture of utter dejection, Rei Ao couldn't help but laugh. Patting her shoulder, he said to Zelel:
"Since that's Heaven's decision, I have no objections. Welcome aboard, Zelel-san. However…"
He shifted to a teasing tone. "Supervise all you want, just don't manage my girlfriend too strictly. She needs to relax once in a while."
"W-who's your girlfriend!" Gabriel protested, cheeks burning… but under her sister's severe stare, her voice dwindled to a whisper.
Zelel was still somewhat uncomfortable with Rei Ao's claim, but she kept her composure. "I will observe and supervise according to principles of fairness. As for other matters that need clarification between Heaven and Your Lordship—"
…
The rooftop conversation ended amid Gabriel's lamentations and the Nakanos' complicated curiosity. The warning bell rang, and everyone had to disperse for class.
Head drooping like a frostbitten eggplant, Gabriel let Satania half tug, half drag her away, muttering "It's over," "Life is meaningless," and the like. The Nakano sisters traded looks and headed back to class together, carrying mixed feelings about a long-term angelic forewoman in their home.
Rei Ao also turned to leave—when Zelel called out to him.
"Rei Ao-sama, a moment, please."
He stopped and turned. Zelel hadn't left with the others; she stood there alone, golden hair stirring lightly in the breeze, blue eyes fixed steadily on him—probing, with a trace of unmistakably sisterly concern.
"Is there something else, Zelel-san?" Rei Ao asked, unhurried.
Zelel seemed to weigh her words, then chose a relatively direct question, even if it brought the faintest, almost imperceptible awkwardness to her serious face.
"Regarding you and my younger sister Gabriel—this so-called 'couple' relationship—how far have you progressed?"
It wasn't easy for her to ask; it clearly lay outside her usual official duties. But for her sister's sake, she had to know.
Rei Ao smiled, meaningful. Far from feeling awkward about the slightly private question, he stepped forward of his own accord, leaning close. Zelel stiffened slightly at his sudden nearness.
Bending down, his lips near the delicate curve of her ear, he murmured with warm breath and thick teasing in a voice only the two of them could hear:
"Progress? Heh… everything we should—and shouldn't—have done, we've done."
~~~
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