Chapter 222: Raphiel's Request
At the end of the game, because of that unbelievable final twist, Kouya lost a massive portion of his winnings and even suffered a penalty labeled as "mental shock," forcing him to skip his next turn. That gave Raphiel just enough of an opening to surge ahead and claim first place. She stretched gracefully, her smug grin radiating victory.
"Alright, class time's coming up. Let's wrap this up," Vigne said, pressing her hands to her temples. Her voice carried exhaustion. "That game took years off my life."
The others were no better off. Satania groaned and slumped onto the table, muttering about "unfair rules." Gabriel yawned, declaring the game "boring" while Rikka dramatically promised to curse the spinner for her bad luck. The room filled with weary laughter. Lunch break had vanished before anyone realized it.
---
Later that day, after school.
Gabriel had fully intended to go home, throw her bag on the floor, and dive straight into an online match. Unfortunately, Shizuka-sensei had caught her sneaking out and reminded her of the Coffee Club rule: every member had to stay for at least an hour after class for cleanup and activities. By the time she finally trudged out of school, the sun had dipped low and the orange sky was melting into violet dusk.
Meanwhile, Kouya stopped by a convenience store on his way home. He bought a boxed bento and a canned drink, ate while scrolling through his phone, then booted up his computer for a few matches. Just as he leaned back to start another round, his phone began to buzz.
He picked it up, half-expecting a spam call—but the screen showed a familiar name: Raphiel.
He exhaled, rubbing his forehead before answering. "Yeah. What is it?"
"Kouya-kun, I really need your help with something important," Raphiel's soft, almost trembling voice came through, more sincere than usual.
Kouya frowned. "What kind of help?"
"Do you remember Alice-chan?" she asked quietly.
Alice? Of course. That loudmouthed, tsundere little girl who once threatened to "bear his children" just to prove a point. Hard to forget someone like that.
"She hasn't come to school all week," Raphiel continued, her voice heavy. "I called her earlier today to check on her. It turns out her mother's been very ill... and it's not getting better."
There was a pause before she added, her tone lowering, "When I went to visit, I noticed something strange—something that might not be human in origin. That's why I thought of you. I think this could be spiritual. Maybe even a curse."
Kouya leaned back, thinking. That explained Alice's absence. If Raphiel was asking for help, it had to be serious—she might be an angel, but she couldn't just use heavenly power in the mortal world without consequences.
"Alright," he said simply. "Send me the address."
Raphiel's sigh of relief was audible even through the phone. "Thank you, Kouya-kun. I knew you'd help." She recited the address quickly.
"Got it," he replied, ending the call. He grabbed his jacket, slipped on his shoes, and left.
---
Twenty minutes later, Kouya arrived at an upscale residential area. The faint glow of streetlights shimmered against polished pavement. The air smelled faintly of rain, though the sky was clear.
Under one of the streetlights stood two girls.
Raphiel looked serene as always, dressed in her neat school uniform, the lamplight tracing her soft features. Her chest rose and fell calmly, her white wings faintly visible beneath the shadows—like a gentle reminder of her true nature. Beside her stood Alice.
Alice was dressed in a pure white dress that matched her fair complexion. Though petite, she carried an air of fragile beauty. Her golden twin-tails, now restored to their natural color after her rebellious green phase, swayed lightly in the night breeze. Butterfly ribbons tied her hair neatly, making her look like an angelic doll. Yet, her expression betrayed her worry—those once-bright eyes now shimmered with unease.
"Kouya-kun, good evening," Raphiel greeted with a small smile, her voice soft as silk.
"Evening," Kouya replied curtly, hands in his pockets.
Alice remained silent, her foot tapping the ground nervously. She avoided his gaze, her lips pressed tight. Clearly, Raphiel had told her something about his abilities, and now the proud little girl didn't know how to face him.
Raphiel tilted her head and spoke gently. "Alice-chan, remember what we discussed?"
Alice inhaled deeply, her small shoulders trembling. "I... I know, Shiraha-sama..."
Taking a step forward, she bent deeply at the waist, her golden twin-tails swaying as she bowed. "I'm sorry! Please forgive me!"
Kouya blinked, caught off guard by the sincerity. He wasn't angry—he never had been—but her dramatics were something else. Still, he kept his tone flat. "Alright, get up."
Alice slowly straightened, cheeks pink, eyes flicking toward Raphiel for silent approval.
Raphiel nodded gently. "Let's go see her mother."
"Yeah," Kouya said.
"I'll lead," Alice whispered, walking ahead timidly. Her small shoes clicked softly against the pavement as Kouya and Raphiel followed a few steps behind.
They entered through a tall wrought-iron gate into a private villa surrounded by trimmed hedges and quiet fountains. Inside, the air was cool and smelled faintly of lavender. A maid in a black-and-white uniform met them at the door, bowing politely and offering slippers.
"Is my mother awake?" Alice asked, her voice trembling with hope.
The maid shook her head. "Not yet, young miss."
Alice's face fell, her tone subdued. "I see... you can go."
The maid bowed again and silently left the room.
"I'll take you upstairs," Alice said, forcing a small smile that didn't reach her eyes.
They walked through a grand living room filled with antique furniture and family portraits. The quiet hum of a grandfather clock echoed faintly as they climbed the staircase to the second floor. There, Alice led them to a dimly lit bedroom.
On the bed lay a woman in her thirties—beautiful, elegant, yet pale as snow. Sweat glistened on her forehead; her body occasionally twitched in pain, even in sleep. She looked like someone trapped in a nightmare.
Alice bit her lip, carrying a basin of water from the bedside table. She dipped a towel, wrung it out carefully, and began to wipe her mother's forehead. Her hands trembled slightly, but her movements were gentle, careful. Her lips quivered as she tried not to cry.
Raphiel leaned closer to Kouya and whispered, "Alice-chan's father died when she was little. Her mom's been her entire world ever since. She's strong, but... she's been under too much pressure. That's why Alice-chan acts out sometimes. She's a good kid deep down."
Kouya gave a slight nod. That explained the attitude and the dyed hair—rebellion born from loneliness.
"As for her mother," Raphiel continued softly, "she's been drifting into long sleeps and having nightmares for days now. The doctors said it's exhaustion, but it's clearly something else. She's been like this almost constantly for a week."
Kouya narrowed his eyes, scanning the woman. A faint, swirling darkness pulsed from her forehead—a thread of cursed energy. Ordinary people couldn't see it, but to him it was obvious. It wasn't natural.
"Leave this to me," he said calmly.
Alice's head snapped up, her voice shaking. "No! I'm staying with her. I don't care what you do—I won't leave her side!"
Raphiel turned to Kouya, silently asking if it was alright.
He nodded. "It's fine." His tone carried quiet confidence. There was no need to hide what he could do.
Raphiel smiled faintly. "Alright. Alice-chan, let him work."
Alice hesitated, clutching the towel in her hands before finally stepping back. "...Okay."
Kouya approached the bed, his movements calm and deliberate. The air grew heavier as he extended his hand, pressing his index finger lightly against the woman's forehead.
A ripple of power spread out instantly.
The woman's body arched slightly as she let out a soft, agonized moan. Her throat convulsed, her breathing quickened, and a faint shadow flickered beneath her skin. It writhed like a living thing, trying desperately to escape.
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