Chapter 153: A Busy Morning
"Turn around—" Vigne's cheeks flushed slightly as she puffed up her face and ordered, "I'm getting dressed!"
It's not like he hadn't seen her last night. What was there to be embarrassed about?
Still, Kouya had a strong feeling that if he dared say that out loud, something terrifying might happen to him. So, he just clicked his tongue and obediently turned away.
The sound of rustling clothes filled the air.
When the noise stopped, Vigne let out a relieved sigh. Her composure returned, her usual sharp and calm expression settling back into place. "Hurry up and get ready," she said briskly. "We still have to go to class later."
As she spoke, she began cleaning up the empty snack wrappers from last night.
Seriously? She was doing that herself? She really couldn't help but micromanage everything.
Kouya got up, running a hand through his hair. Because he hadn't slept well, a stubborn piece of hair stuck straight up like an antenna.
"Pfft—"
Vigne couldn't help but laugh softly when she saw it. But almost immediately, she straightened her face again, pretending nothing had happened.
"You just laughed, didn't you?" Kouya said, blinking.
"No," she replied, shaking her head quickly.
"I saw it."
"You're seeing things," Vigne said, turning her head away. The corners of her lips, however, were definitely twitching upward.
Kouya rolled his eyes and turned toward the mirror. Sure enough, there it was—a single strand of rebellious hair poking straight up from his head.
Vigne glanced over, her eyes glinting with amusement. "It actually looks kind of cute," she said, pressing a finger to her lips as if trying not to laugh.
Cute? That was your fault!
If she hadn't stolen his pillow last night to hug while sleeping, his hair wouldn't have turned into this disaster! (╯‵□′)╯︵┻━┻
Kouya sighed, taking off his bathrobe and pulling on his uniform. Luckily, the clothes had been dried overnight and were wearable again.
Vigne hesitated for a few seconds before blurting out, "Wait a second!"
"Huh?"
"Y-your collar... it's not straight."
"It's fine," Kouya said carelessly.
"How can you say that?" Vigne frowned, crossing her arms. "It looks untidy. You'll look sloppy if you don't fix it."
He shrugged. "Who cares? It's not like anyone's going to stare at my collar."
When he still made no move to fix it, Vigne puffed her cheeks again and walked over. "Lower your head."
Hey, what are you planning to do?
Are you about to chop my head off for being messy?
Her face reddened slightly. "I'll fix it for you," she said quietly.
Her fingers brushed against his neck as she straightened the wrinkled collar, the gentle touch sending a brief chill up his spine. Once she finished, she stepped back quickly, clearing her throat. "Done. Let's go."
The two of them headed downstairs to check out.
The front desk clerk gave Kouya a knowing nod, then glanced meaningfully at Vigne's knees. A faint, mischievous smile crept across his face.
What the hell was that look?!
Try that again and see if I don't punch you into next week!
"Are you checking out?" the clerk asked politely.
"Yeah."
"Here's the bill. Please take a look."
Vigne leaned closer to the screen, frowning. "Um, what's this 'damage fee for property'?"
Kouya also glanced at the screen. Damage fee? What—did the bed collapse or something?
"I'm sorry," said the clerk. "It seems a few manga volumes were damaged."
"Huh? What does that mean?" Vigne asked, puzzled.
"Well..." The clerk hesitated, glancing at Kouya. "You might want to ask your boyfriend about that."
"H-he's not my boyfriend!" Vigne stammered, face turning red as she waved her hands frantically. The clerk didn't look convinced.
She shot Kouya a questioning look. "What's going on?"
Kouya raised an eyebrow. "Yeah, I'd like to know that too."
The clerk sighed. "Are you sure you want me to say it out loud, sir?"
"Say it," Kouya grumbled. "I'm curious myself."
The clerk cleared his throat and replied awkwardly, "Well... it seems those manga were soiled by, uh, an unidentified liquid."
"..." Kouya's expression darkened immediately.
What do you mean unidentified liquid?! You better not be implying what I think you're implying!
Vigne blinked at him, uncertainty flickering across her face.
Hey! Do you not trust me?! Or yourself?! Why would I ignore a sleeping girl next to me just to... do that with a manga?!
Or worse—did she think he'd do it while looking at her? That would be a whole new level of depravity!
"It was probably Big Meow," Vigne said after a moment, pressing her lips together. "Kouya-kun... wouldn't do something like that."
Wouldn't? Say it with confidence!
"Well, that's possible," the clerk said uncertainly. "But... the books still have to be paid for."
"Fine," Kouya snapped through gritted teeth. "Just charge me."
...
The moment they stepped outside, the rain had already stopped.
The sky was a brilliant shade of blue, like a massive gemstone polished clean by the storm. Sunlight poured down in golden streams, warm and comforting against their skin.
The bushes along the roadside were lush and glistening from the rain. The air smelled fresh and earthy, filled with a faint floral fragrance that cleared the mind.
After a restless night, Kouya's stomach growled quietly. Unfortunately, there weren't any breakfast stalls in sight—no fried dough sticks, no tofu pudding, no steamed buns, no noodles. Nothing.
In Japan, breakfast was mostly a home affair. Housewives woke early to prepare meals for their families and packed lunches for school or work. Most restaurants didn't open until after eleven. For now, the only option was a convenience store and some packaged sandwiches or drinks.
"There's still time before class," Vigne said. "Let's drop Big Meow off first."
"Yeah," Kouya agreed.
They took the train back and then walked through the neighborhood, heading to return the folded-ear cat to its owner—an elderly lady who adored her pets. But at the gate, they bumped into Gabriel and Takanashi Rikka.
"Eh? Vigne?" Gabriel asked curiously. "What are you doing with him?"
"N-nothing!" Vigne squeaked, quickly stepping back two paces from Kouya. "We just... ran into each other outside!"
The problem was, Vigne couldn't lie to save her life. Her darting gaze and pink cheeks made her look incredibly suspicious.
"I see," Gabriel said, not pressing the issue. "Then let's go to school together."
"Mm..." Vigne mumbled in agreement.
Sniff, sniff!
Rikka's ahoge twitched as she leaned close to Kouya, sniffing like a curious puppy.
Hey! Don't smell me like that! Where's your feminine dignity?!
"I sense... the scent of a succubus!" Rikka declared dramatically, adjusting her eyepatch with a serious look.
Succubus?! What the hell are you talking about?!
Vigne was literally a celestial-class angel! Not a demon!
Rikka tilted her head. "Weird... The hero's scent and Vigne's smell kinda... overlap?"
Before she could finish, Vigne clapped a hand over her mouth. "Rikka, how about I buy you tomatoes for lunch?"
Rikka froze in horror. "N-no! Anything but that!" she cried, shaking her head frantically. "Those red bombs explode when I least expect it, splattering that awful sticky juice all over my face!"
Shut up! They're just tomatoes! You're making them sound like cursed artifacts!
Apologize to every tomato lover out there!
Thankfully, the thought of tomatoes distracted Rikka from the whole "succubus scent" thing.
Vigne quickly took the chance to return Big Meow to the old lady, then joined the others on their walk to school.
As they passed the usual alley, a familiar barking sound echoed.
Accompanied, as always, by Satania's wail of defeat:
"Damn it! Why do you always steal my melon bread every morning?!"
Honestly, who was she blaming here? She knew that dog would steal her bread, yet she still walked that route every day. It was like she wanted to lose!
"Lost your bread again?" Vigne sighed, rubbing her forehead.
"Yep," Raphiel said sweetly, clasping her hands. Her silver hair swayed as she smiled. "Satania-sama fought valiantly for five rounds before Shiro claimed victory."
So the dog's name was Shiro? Yeah, fitting. Definitely her underling.
Gabriel snorted. "Serves you right. Maybe don't act like such an idiot next time."
"Grrr! I'll duel you, Gabriel!" Satania shouted.
"Denied," Gabriel replied flatly.
As usual, the group bickered playfully on their way to school.
By the time they arrived, students from all directions were pouring in, uniforms blending into a sea of blue and white. It was the same every day, almost monotonous.
Kouya's eyes wandered over the crowd—then inevitably landed on Vigne's legs.
Her long, slender legs were wrapped in sleek black stockings, smooth and elegant. The slight gap between the hem of her skirt and the top of the stockings—her "absolute territory"—gleamed faintly in the sunlight.
Yep. After comparing, he confirmed it again.
Vigne definitely had the best legs.
Noticing his gaze, Vigne's face turned red. She bit her lip, glared at him once, then quickly turned away, refusing to speak to him.
For the rest of the day, she barely said a word to him. Even when their eyes met by accident, she would instantly look away. At lunch, she ate quietly, avoiding his table completely.
...
After classes ended, Vigne packed her bag hurriedly and left the classroom without a word, her steps quick and determined.
Was it because she was wearing the same underwear as yesterday and wanted to rush home to change?
Kouya sighed, gathering his things. He was about to leave when he felt a familiar poke on his back.
Poke, poke, poke—
"What now?" he asked, turning around.
Gabriel grinned mischievously. "Don't think you can escape. We're still going to buy that game we talked about yesterday!"