Chapter 6: Gabi-chan's Tail
Walking out of the supermarket, the city lights had already come on, and the night sky was dotted with stars like scattered diamonds. The glow from neon signs painted the streets in shifting hues of pink and blue, and the gentle hum of life filled the air. It was the kind of evening that felt alive yet oddly peaceful.
The evening breeze brushed gently, stirring a wind chime hanging somewhere under an eave, bringing along a crisp, pleasant ringing sound that seemed to dance with the drifting scent of blooming flowers. The sound faded, replaced by the distant laughter of pedestrians and the low purr of passing cars.
"Thank you so much for earlier, Kouya-kun!" Gabi-chan took the groceries from his hands and bowed again, her golden hair catching the light as she moved. Her manners were flawless—graceful, polite, almost dazzling. Truly worthy of being the top graduate of Angel School.
"Mm."
Kouya's answer was short. He didn't like this kind of exaggerated politeness. It felt artificial to him. He gave a faint nod and turned on his heel, walking toward his rented apartment with slow, measured steps.
He lived nearby, in a small apartment about twenty minutes from the school. It wasn't luxurious, but it was quiet, and that was all he wanted. Most of the residents were either students like him or tired office workers who came home too late to bother anyone.
As he left the crowded street behind, Kouya turned into a small alley lined with cherry trees. Petals drifted in the breeze like fragments of light, falling softly against his shoulders. It was almost serene—until he heard it.
Footsteps. Light, hesitant, and close.
The noise of cars and people faded further, but the faint sound behind him became more distinct. Under the soft streetlights, two shadows stretched across the pavement—one following closely behind the other.
"What's this stupid angel following me for?" Kouya thought, his brow twitching. "Did she… discover my identity?"
Then he scoffed inwardly. "No, impossible. Unless the God King himself came down to earth, there's no way she could."
He shook his head and sighed. As long as she didn't interfere with his peaceful daily life, it wasn't worth his attention.
Before long, he arrived at his apartment building—a modest three-story complex with creaky stairs and a faint smell of detergent. He lived in the second-to-last room on the second floor. Not big—just thirty square meters—but enough for a quiet life.
Yet, the footsteps behind him didn't fade. They followed him all the way up the stairs, right to his door.
That was it.
Kouya turned sharply, irritation flashing across his face.
"Hey. Why are you following me?"
Gabi-chan blinked rapidly, her cheeks flushing pink. "N-no, you've got it wrong, Kouya-kun."
'Wrong, my ass! You've been tailing me since the supermarket!' he screamed internally. 'What are you, a stalker? You think I'm blind?'
"Um, Kouya-kun, really, you're misunderstanding."
"I believe my own eyes—"
Before he could finish, Gabi-chan reached into her wallet, took out a key, and with a soft click, unlocked the door… right next to his.
Kouya stared blankly. "..."
'No way… this dumb angel is my neighbor?!'
'You've got to be kidding me. Damn it, of all people!'
Gabi-chan smiled warmly, pushing her door open but not stepping in yet. "I just moved in this morning. I haven't had the chance to greet my neighbors yet. What a coincidence that you live here too, Kouya-kun." She bowed slightly, her golden hair swaying. "Well then, Kouya-kun, I look forward to getting along with you."
Kouya's expression didn't change. He muttered something under his breath and went inside, shutting his door firmly. Just the thought of an angel living next door made him restless.
His apartment was simple but cozy. A small kitchen, a folding table, a bed by the window. He cooked dinner, ate quietly, cleaned up meticulously, and spent the evening at his computer, reading up on this strange, modern world. At exactly ten-thirty, he turned off the lights and lay down.
For someone like him—someone who could go without sleep for days—choosing to rest early was more a matter of principle than need. The Demon King who wished to live in peace needed a routine, after all.
And so, he drifted off.
…
The night passed without incident.
At seven sharp, his eyes opened right before the alarm went off. He got up, washed his face, ate the leftover dinner, and slung his bag over his shoulder. The air outside was crisp and clean. The faint fragrance of spring flowers mixed with the chill morning breeze, brushing against his face and waking him completely.
The warm sunlight spilled down between buildings, soft and golden. It was almost… comfortable.
He glanced at the door beside his. Still closed. He wondered vaguely if the angel was awake, then shrugged it off. No reason to care.
Walk together with her? Not a chance.
The Demon King preferred solitude over holy company.
…
Kouya disliked buses—the exhaust fumes made his head ache. Since school wasn't far, walking was better. The rhythmic sound of his own footsteps against the pavement was oddly soothing.
But halfway down a narrow street, a familiar, panicked voice broke the calm.
"D-don't come any closer!"
A low growl followed, echoing through the alley.
"I am the great demon Satania! The one destined to rule Hell itself! If you value your life, flee before my terrifying power!"
The growl got louder.
"You still dare defy me? Then I'll unleash my ultimate—ahhhh! No, don't—!"
Then came a desperate cry.
"No! That's my most precious thing!"
Kouya stopped cold.
'What the hell is going on now?'
Was a demon beast attacking a girl in broad daylight?
Heart heavy with suspicion, he turned the corner—and came face to face with the "beast."
It was charging toward him, eyes round and wide, staring straight into his.
"..."
They locked eyes. The world went silent.
Kouya groaned softly and rubbed his temple. He felt a headache forming.
"Woof! Woof!"
The so-called monster barked triumphantly, tail wagging as it strutted away on short legs like a victorious general.
"Ugh, it stole my bread again! Why does this keep happening…?" wailed the girl's voice, thick with tears.
Kouya glanced at her—red hair, small horns, ridiculous expression. The self-proclaimed "Great Demon Lord Satania" sat on the ground, sniffling.
Well, at least the "enemy" was clear—a stray dog. White fur, sharp eyes, and a chunk of pineapple bread in its mouth. A pitifully normal thief.
'You've embarrassed all demons everywhere. Losing your breakfast to a dog? I should exile you from Hell myself.'
He approached, looking down at her with faint annoyance.
"Get up."
She looked up, blinking tears away. "Y-you're helping me?"
"No."
"Eh?"
"You're blocking the way."
Her lips trembled as she stood, muttering under her breath. "Kouya-kun, you're so mean…"
"Hm? You know my name now? Yesterday you didn't."
"Ahaha…" She turned her face away, staring at the blank wall as if it were fascinating. "I-I didn't go asking around or anything!"
Kouya sighed inwardly. 'If I stay here any longer, I'll lose brain cells.'
…
The morning classes passed slowly. The sunlight was warm, but Kouya couldn't relax. Not with Gabi-chan—the perfect, rule-following angel—around.
In fact, she'd become something of a class mascot. Everyone adored her.
She smiled like she radiated light. She helped everyone. She even took orders from that red-haired idiot.
"Gabi-chan, I want juice."
"Of course. Here you go."
"Gabi-chan, can I borrow your notes?"
"Sure! I copied Satania's handwriting for fun."
"Gabi-chan, my shoulders hurt."
"Then let me massage them!"
Kouya buried his face in his hand. 'What a saintly idiot. They're treating her like a servant, and she's loving it!'
Then, during class, she passed him a note.
"Kouya-kun, are you free tomorrow?"
He frowned, scribbling back: "Why?"
"I want to thank you for helping me. If you don't mind, please come have lunch at my place tomorrow."
His reply was immediate: "No."
But Gabi-chan didn't back down. "Kouya-kun helped me, and I can't rest until I repay you." She'd even drawn a little doodle of a teary angel beside it.
He wanted to say no again—but she lived next door. There was no escaping her persistence.
Skipping lunch to hide from her? Ridiculous.
That would look like defeat.
"…Fine. Just this once."
…
By lunchtime, Kouya escaped to the rooftop again. He bought some bread and water and planned to eat in silence.
Of course, Satania was there too, clutching two rice balls and pretending she wasn't looking at him.
He sighed. "You always eat alone?"
"W-what? Of course not!" She flailed, cheeks flushed. "I just prefer to dine in solitude like a true demon! Not because I'm jealous or anything!"
'Yeah, right,' Kouya thought. 'You're just lonely.'
Still, he didn't press. Solitude suited him fine too.
…
Days blurred together. Before long, the first week of the new semester was over.
After school, Kouya's phone buzzed. Caller ID: Cousin.
He hesitated, then answered.
A warm, slightly husky voice came through. "Hey, hey, Kouya? That you?"
"It's me."
"I'm your cousin Kobayashi," she said with a small laugh. "I was supposed to pick you up for the opening ceremony, but something came up. I only just got some free time—sorry about that…"
"Anyway, Kouya, come to my place for dinner tonight."
He instinctively said, "No need."
He didn't like going to unfamiliar places, even family's.
"You're not still mad at me, are you?" she asked softly.
"…No."
"Then come over tonight! Or I'll come find you!" she declared, her tone playful yet commanding