Chapter 266: Don't Leave After School!
In the blink of an eye, Friday had arrived.
With summer creeping closer day by day, the air in the classroom had grown thick and warm. The sunlight pouring through the wide windows shimmered like molten gold, scattering glints across polished desks and notebook covers. Dust motes danced lazily in the light, floating like tiny stars suspended in still air.
A breeze occasionally brushed through the open window, carrying the rustle of green leaves and the faint fragrance of freshly cut grass. The rhythmic song of cicadas echoed faintly from afar, blending seamlessly with the high-pitched squeak of chalk as it glided over the blackboard. Every sound, every shimmer of sunlight, felt like an announcement—the unmistakable arrival of summer.
At the front of the classroom, Shizuka-sensei spoke steadily, explaining formulas and examples with practiced patience. But her voice washed over a sea of distracted students. Their thoughts had already wandered beyond the walls—to cool drinks, laughter, and the freedom of the weekend waiting just ahead.
Kouya sat by the window, his chin resting lightly in his palm, eyes drifting out toward the bright sky. The swaying trees reflected in his calm, steady gaze.
The week had passed quietly. No youkai had come seeking aid. No members of the Truth Society had appeared to stir trouble. Everything felt strangely peaceful, almost unnaturally so.
'A quiet day indeed.'
But the peace lasted only a heartbeat before it shattered with a familiar rhythm.
"Poke, poke, poke—"
The exact same spot on his back, same pressure, same timing—it could only be one person. The lazy fallen angel behind him, whose mischief always seemed perfectly timed to disrupt tranquility.
Without even glancing back, Kouya extended a hand behind him.
A small piece of folded paper was swiftly placed into his palm.
He unfolded it beneath his desk. The handwriting was neat and delicate—feminine, careful—but the words were blunt and commanding:
"Hey, don't leave after school!"
Kouya's mouth twitched. He scribbled a quick reply and passed it back with practiced precision.
"What do you want this time?"
Moments later, the note returned.
"We're going shopping after school."
He blinked. "Shopping?" he murmured under his breath. "For what?"
Could it be like last time... with those embarrassing lingerie sets? He nearly sighed out loud. "Your chest hasn't grown a bit since then, so what's the point?"
He wrote another quick note. "Go by yourself. Why drag me into it?"
A reply came back instantly, her irritation practically radiating through the pen strokes: "Idiot! It's because I'm buying something for you too!"
Kouya froze. His eyes narrowed, then flicked toward her desk. "For me?" he whispered, his disbelief almost audible.
He double-checked the note just to make sure he hadn't misread it. Then he leaned slightly to the side and muttered, "Did you take the wrong medicine today?"
"Bastard!" Gabriel hissed under her breath, cheeks puffing as she clenched her fists. "You're the one who took the wrong medicine!"
Kouya smirked faintly. Yep, she definitely had a fever.
After all, this was the same shut-in who spent her days gaming, half-dressed, and living off his snacks. The girl whose wardrobe barely had more than three outfits—now suddenly wanting to buy him clothes? Something was definitely suspicious.
Another note landed on his desk. "Anyway, stop asking questions. Don't leave after class, or the consequences will be serious!"
"..." Kouya sighed silently.
It seemed their note-passing had drawn a little too much attention. Shizuka-sensei paused mid-sentence, her chalk hand frozen in the air, and rubbed her forehead with a sigh.
"You two, please try to be discreet," she said. "If you have private matters, discuss them later. You're making things awkward for your teacher here."
Those who'd ever stood at the podium knew—teachers could see everything. Students only thought they were being subtle.
"Swish!"
Every sleepy head in the room turned toward them in unison.
"Ah, it's Kouya-san and Gabriel-san again."
"I saw them! They were totally passing notes!"
"Whoa!" one girl gasped, her eyes sparkling. "Are they dating!?"
"Probably not?" another said uncertainly. "They don't look that close…"
"Please, it's obvious! They're just shy in public! Why else would they always pass secret notes?"
The room exploded into cheerful chatter.
In a class filled almost entirely with girls—aside from Kouya and the mysterious Itsuka—romance was a rare and precious spectacle. A possible couple was like dropping fireworks into a quiet pond.
From the front, Vigne turned her head slightly. Her brows furrowed in faint curiosity, her eyes carrying the calm doubt of someone who'd rather not jump to conclusions. She opened her mouth as if to say something, then hesitated.
Takanashi Rikka sat silently in her seat, clutching her notebook like a shield. The noise around her rolled by harmlessly; she'd long learned to withdraw into her own quiet world when things got loud.
Meanwhile, Satania's eyes darted back and forth, full of restless energy. If it weren't for the risk of detention, she would have already jumped up shouting, "I want in! Don't leave me out of this couple thing!"
Shizuka-sensei finally sighed and set her textbook down.
"Gabriel-san," she said, crossing her arms, "stop daydreaming during class. If you keep this up, you'll never find a job in the future. What then? You planning to let Kouya-san support you forever?"
The class went silent for a moment—then erupted again.
Kouya didn't flinch. His poker face could withstand a nuclear blast.
Gabriel, however, went red from ear to ear. Her wings almost twitched with embarrassment before she slammed her face into her desk, groaning.
"Gabriel-san's blushing!" someone cried.
No kidding. Who wouldn't be?
"She's so tiny, though," another whispered. "If they walked together, people might think they're siblings."
"Nah," said a third. "Different hair and eye colors. More like Kouya-san's some bad senior corrupting a middle schooler."
Gabriel shot up, fists clenched. "What the heck!? I'm an angel! An angel, you hear me!? I could save millions if I wanted!"
Her voice cracked slightly. "Who needs that idiot to take care of me!?"
Kouya smirked to himself. If only she remembered how many of his meals she'd mooched off this week.
"Alright, alright, that's enough." Shizuka-sensei waved her hands. "Everyone settle down. Let's get back to the lesson before I lose my mind."
She took a sip of tea, then sighed dramatically. "You know, being a teacher sounds noble. Guiding students through the sea of knowledge—how poetic! But halfway through, half of you stop swimming. Then I have to turn around and drag each one of you forward. That's fine—but the worst are the ones swimming backward!"
Laughter filled the classroom instantly.
"Satania-san, stop laughing," Shizuka-sensei said in mock exasperation.
"Eh?"
"You've been swimming backward so fast lately that I can't even see you anymore."
"What!?" Satania blinked, completely lost.
The room nearly doubled over in laughter again.
Finally, the bell rang, releasing everyone from the slow torture of the final class.
Gabriel snatched her bag and bolted out of the room before anyone could ask her questions, leaving behind a wave of disappointed gossipers.
By the time Kouya reached the gate, his phone buzzed.
He answered lazily. "What now?"
Gabriel's voice came through clearly. "Come to the train station. I'm waiting."
He sighed but changed direction. It wasn't like he had anywhere better to be. Besides, curiosity gnawed at him—what was this slothful angel up to?
When he arrived, she stood by a vending machine, sunlight glinting off her blonde hair. She looked almost composed for once, hands tucked in her skirt pockets, studying the list of drinks like it was a strategic decision.
When she spotted him, she turned her head and held out her hand without shame. "Hey, give me two coins."
Kouya's eyebrow twitched. "Are you robbing me?"
Her tone was so natural it was almost impressive. "Come on, I'm thirsty."
He sighed, pulled out two coins, and handed them over. "Here. Happy now?"
She grinned, popping the coins into the machine. "Thanks. Oh, and don't think you're off the hook. We've got shopping to do."
"Shopping?" he echoed, half-amused. "Since when do you actually move on weekends?"
Gabriel puffed her cheeks. "I'm going to buy summer clothes. And since you've been tolerable lately, I'll be generous and buy you something too."
Wanna read ahead? Join my Patreon and support the story — up to 6 new chapters are published for you every day!: patreon.com/ArealMaster