After giving Hayashi Maki a once-over with her Insight, and finding nothing amiss, Gabriel turned it off.
She was surprised that Hayashi Maki could boost a demon's mana, but didn't dwell on it. After all, why do Heaven and the Netherworld send their best to train in the human world?
Because the experience itself strengthens both angels and demons. Strange people and stranger events are normal down here. Some humans can even be converted into angels or demons.
So Gabriel only firmed up her plan: when Hayashi Maki eventually dies, she'll be the one to guide him—turn him into an angel and take him up to Heaven!
For an ordinary angel, that would demand a heavy price; without enough merit, it's impossible. But who is Gabriel? She's the Archangel Zelel's little sister! Turning a human is just a word from her.
…
Without incident, afternoon came.
Hayashi Maki had a date: his in-game "wife," Ako Tamaki, wanted to meet IRL. Curious whether "she" was male or female—and whether any of it was real—he agreed. The meeting spot was a park near Akihabara. He decided to see what she really looked like.
On his way over, his laptop chimed—a mail from Ako.
Ako Tamaki: "Hubby, our Alley Cats Guildmaster Apricot heard we're meeting. She and Schwein want to come too—what do we do?"
Guildmaster Apricot and Schwein? Hayashi Maki thought a moment and replied:
Hayashi Maki: "Have them come—good chance to meet properly. Can you let them know, Ako? I'm heading to the spot to wait."
Ako: "Okay! Leave it to me!"
What was supposed to be one-on-one became a guild meetup. Truth be told, it was Hayashi Maki's first time meeting online friends in real life. He wasn't nervous though. By light-novel logic, all the guild members—besides him—would be beautiful girls!
Haha, kidding. Could also be cross-dressing guys. In any case, he'd know soon enough.
He waited under a big tree in the park, next to a bench, with a touch of anticipation. His laptop chimed again—Ako had sent her phone number via in-game mail and urged him to add it.
He sighed and added it. If Ako turned out to be a guy, he'd block immediately. Hayashi Maki was practical like that. Ako always called him "husband" in-game; if Ako was actually a man, how gross would that be? She had said she was a literature major in real life, but this was the internet—skepticism was healthy.
As soon as he added her, a text came in.
Ako: "Hubby, where are you? I'm almost at the park entrance."
Hayashi Maki: "Left side of the park, big tree with a bench. I'm in a white top—the most handsome one in the crowd, that's me!"
Shameless self-praise included.
Ako: "Oh, I see you! I'm coming. Black jacket, white skirt, big blue eyes and an ahoge—I'm a literature-department beauty!"
Hayashi Maki's mouth twitched. For real? Was a net friend cranking up his expectations just to mess with him?
He stayed skeptical. He'd seen Netoge no Yome and knew Ako Tamaki was a beauty there, but this was the real internet—stay wary.
Then someone tugged his sleeve. A timid, clear voice: "Um… I—I'm Ako… Hubby… is that you?"
He turned—and blinked. A black-haired, blue-eyed beauty in a black sweater over a white top, with a very generous figure, was peeking up at him shyly.
"Ako? Ako Tamaki?"
He blurted her name; the girl's face lit up—she'd found the right person. The most handsome one in the crowd could only be her "Hubby!" She grabbed his arm, shaking it, pressing herself against him. The softness made his thoughts wander.
So it was settled: she really was the heavy net-addict who blurred reality and games—Ako Tamaki. No one else would clutch their "in-game husband" like that the moment they met offline.
Since Ako was truly a beauty, what about the other two? Sensing a gaze, he looked over—at a slim girl with short golden twin-tails and a lovely face.
"Um, are you with Alley Cats? I—I'm Schwein."
"Yes. I'm Hayashi 'Innocent,' this is Ako," Hayashi Maki said with a smile. "It's just… in-game, Schwein is a hot-headed male swordsman—I didn't expect such a cute girl IRL."
Ako puffed her cheeks—her husband was complimenting another girl! Schwein blushed, then shot him a glare. "Look at me with creepy eyes and I'll kill you!"
Hayashi Maki waved his hands—he didn't mind a cute girl's bluff. More importantly: where was the guildmaster, Apricot? Would she be a beauty too?
"Looks like Alley Cats is all here. Hello everyone—I'm Apricot."
Speak of the devil. A mature, voluptuous beauty with purple hair in a white blouse stepped from the side and gave Hayashi Maki a warm smile.
"You're the student council president!" Schwein blurted, astonished. She couldn't fathom that the admired president she saw at school was the same person who played games with them so often.
The purple-haired beauty nodded. "That's right. I'm the Student Council President—and Alley Cats' guildmaster, Apricot."
"Since we're all here, let's go somewhere quiet to chat!"
~~~
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