Chapter 84: Demonic Customs are So Honest, While Angelic Ones Have Fallen into Decay!
"You shouldn't play with such dangerous things on a public street," Yurine said, her voice calm. "And I'll be confiscating this as well."
In a flash, she had snatched the rocket launcher from Poporon's hands and, in the same smooth motion, plucked the Angelic Halo from above her head. Pekola had told them that the halo was the source of an angel's power; without it, they lost most of their abilities.
So fast! Poporon's emerald-green eyes went wide, her pupils constricting. A single drop of cold sweat trickled down her cute cheek. She turned her head with a stiff, robotic motion, her face a mask of disbelief as she looked at Yurine, who had suddenly appeared beside her. Wait a minute! That halo… it looks so familiar! She saw Yurine holding a golden ring of light and instinctively reached up to her own head, only to find empty air.
Yurine walked back to the group with her spoils of war. "( ﹁ ﹁ )" she said, looking at Pekola. "The angels aren't quite like you described them, are they?"
"Indeed," Ryohei added, his arms crossed as he also looked at the flustered angel. "Thinking about Yusa and Koōri, who we met today, I can't help but feel that… demonic customs are so simple and honest, while the angelic ones have fallen into such decay."
"Pfft—!" Yurine couldn't help but burst out laughing. Her eyes curved into happy crescents, her cheeks puffed out, and her shoulders shook.
"Er, well… it's possible she's just an isolated case?" Pekola stammered, completely at a loss. She was relieved, but also incredibly embarrassed as she tried to salvage the image of angels. Her feelings were a complicated, subtle mess. The angel she thought had come to save her, her former subordinate, had just tried to assassinate her to usurp her position. And she had been saved by a witch.
"Heian-kun, I'm taking this back with me. I'll use it on Jashin-chan next time," Yurine said, stuffing the rocket launcher into the food cart.
"I'll offer Jashin-chan three seconds of silent mourning," Ryohei said. "But are you sure it's okay to put that in there? Won't it explode from the heat?"
"Don't worry, it'll be fine," Yurine replied, giving him an OK sign. "Rocket launchers, or more accurately, the rockets themselves, are designed to be stable in high heat. It might affect their performance, though." She then put her hands together in a pleading gesture. "So, could we go home first? I want to put this away." She needed the cart as cover; she couldn't just carry a rocket launcher home in broad daylight without getting a visit from the police.
"Alright," Ryohei said, a "what can I do with you" expression on his face.
"Um…" Poporon, her face now a mask of pure sweetness, approached them with light, graceful steps. She pointed a delicate finger at the halo in Yurine's hand. "Could you please give that back to Poporon? I was just joking with Pekola-sama. We haven't seen each other in a long time, I just couldn't resist teasing her a little."
"No," Yurine replied without a moment's hesitation ( ≖_≖). This angel gave her a very familiar feeling. She saw the shadow of Jashin-chan in her. If she gave the halo back, Poporon would probably attack her immediately. The fact that she saw Jashin-chan in an angel gave Yurine a very strange feeling, and she was once again reminded of Ryohei's words: Demonic customs are so simple and honest, while the angelic ones have fallen into such decay. How true that was.
Poporon's sweet smile stiffened. I knew it wouldn't be that easy. But still, what is with this human? As an angel, I was disarmed so easily… She secretly glanced at Ryohei. And that man next to her… I had an illusion spell on me so ordinary people wouldn't see me, but he noticed me right away, just like she did. He's not simple, either…
"Pekola, back to work," Ryohei called out to the embarrassed angel. "We're heading home for a bit."
"Hai!" Pekola replied, snapping to attention. A moment ago, she had thought she was returning to Heaven and had thrown away her new job without a second thought. She was relieved that Ryohei wasn't holding it against her. She went to the cart's handles and skillfully turned it around.
Seeing her former superior, an Archangel, now reduced to pulling a cart for humans like a beast of burden, Poporon felt a complicated mix of emotions, followed by a wave of intense regret. If only she had done nothing, she could have enjoyed her acting-Archangel status for a while longer. But now, she had lost her halo, lost everything. She couldn't do anything, and she couldn't return to Heaven. She hadn't told anyone she was coming here, so no one would be looking for her.
I have to get my halo back! Otherwise, today's Pekola-sama would be tomorrow's her. Poporon quickly hurried to catch up with them.
"She's following us," Ryohei said, glancing back.
"Mhm. It's very important to her, after all," Yurine said, holding up the halo.
Pekola's gaze was drawn to it, a look of longing in her eyes, but she quickly shook her head and looked away. No, I can't! That's Poporon's! Although, if the witch… if Yurine-san were to give it to me… then… She was tempted.
At the same time, Poporon was wondering the same thing. If she gives the halo to Pekola-sama… then my only choice is to perform a dogeza and beg for her forgiveness! Given her personality, she probably won't be too hard on me, right?
Ryohei, meanwhile, was already thinking about how to recruit Poporon. His collector's impulse was acting up again. Besides, he really did need the staff. His restaurant only had three waitresses so far—Minos, Pekola, and Yusa. For a two-story restaurant, that was a little short-staffed. One more person would be perfect.
Yurine curiously examined the halo in her hands. She could feel a pure, warm energy emanating from it. I'll have to study this later, she thought.
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