Chapter 271: Gabriel Throws Herself Into His Arms
Watching the long-haired girl dash away as if granted a pardon, Gabriel snorted softly, her golden eyes glimmering with the satisfaction of a prank well played. Her lips curved upward into a playful grin that spoke of both triumph and mischief.
"I don't know why Machiko always catches us, but now that she's wearing the couple outfit too, she definitely won't dare tell Vigne and the others about it." She giggled to herself, clearly proud of her 'master plan.'
'So that's your reason for dragging her into it?'
'If you didn't want to wear it, you shouldn't have bought it in the first place! You buy matching outfits and then act embarrassed—those poor clothes must be crying in the wardrobe!'
The lazy angel stretched, wings flicking faintly under her hoodie as she looked up at the dimming sky. "Alright, let's head back. Otherwise, when will I get to eat dinner? I'm starving."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Kouya shot her a half-annoyed glance.
"You should cook dinner for me as thanks for me buying you clothes," Gabriel said matter-of-factly, crossing her arms like it was the most natural thing in the world.
Who asked you to buy anything for me?! You decided that on your own—and somehow it sounds like a trap wrapped in good intentions!
"Not in the mood," Kouya said flatly.
"Tch! Fine, I'll do the dishes then!" Gabriel puffed her cheeks in protest and tugged at his sleeve. "Come on, let's go already!" Her soft voice carried that spoiled rhythm that made it impossible to stay mad at her for long.
They soon boarded the train. But since it was near rush hour, the carriage was a sea of people—shoulder to shoulder, elbow to elbow, barely any space to breathe.
"Why are there so many humans? It's like the entire world came to ride this train!" Gabriel's wings twitched beneath her jacket, as if ready to burst free in protest.
"You think this is bad?" Kouya sighed. "You should see Tokyo at rush hour."
In Tokyo, a city of over ten million people, rush hour was a living nightmare. Forget seats—finding a spot to breathe was a luxury. People were packed together so tightly that you couldn't even lift your arm. The trains looked like moving cans of sardines.
"Humans should really be wiped out a little," Gabriel muttered, ruffling her hair with a scowl. "As long as there's water, food, air, and internet, I could live happily even if the rest disappeared."
'Shut up!'
'Weren't you supposed to bless humanity, not exterminate it?! Remember your angelic duty, you fallen Wi-Fi addict!'
'Even if you've forgotten your purpose, stop talking about wiping out humanity every five minutes!'
…
Since there were no seats left, Kouya and Gabriel had to stand, gripping the metal rails as the train lurched forward.
And that's when trouble started.
Without her shoes, Gabriel's height was only about 1.47 meters (4'10). Even for a middle schooler that was small—she looked like she could vanish in the crowd at any second.
Holding onto the high rail was clearly a struggle. Her slender arm stretched upward, trembling slightly as she tiptoed to reach. Within a minute, she gave up, frowning in defeat. With a quiet huff, she grabbed onto Kouya's shirt instead.
Standing that close, Kouya caught a soft, faintly sweet scent from her hair. It was the kind of clean, gentle fragrance that lingered after a shower. From his height, she barely reached his chest, looking tiny—almost like a lazy kitten curling against a warm pillow.
"What are you staring at!" Gabriel suddenly looked up, glaring with puffed cheeks. Her big eyes sparkled with irritation. "Get away from me, you stink!"
'Sorry for existing, then.'
'Also, before you insult me, maybe stop clinging to my shirt first?'
At the next stop, the doors opened and more passengers poured in. The train somehow became even tighter. A middle-aged man in a suit—sweating profusely—ended up right beside Gabriel. His forehead gleamed with sweat as he awkwardly wiped it away, trying to make himself smaller.
People nearby frowned, clearly noticing the faint odor of sweat and deodorant mixing unpleasantly in the air. The poor guy wasn't doing it on purpose; there was simply nowhere else to move. Most passengers chose to bear it in silence.
But Gabriel froze instantly.
Her keen sense of smell was far beyond normal. The moment that scent hit her, her body stiffened like she'd been electrocuted. Her eyes widened, and a bead of cold sweat trickled down her temple.
"Oh god… is that… a biological weapon?" she whispered weakly.
"I can't… breathe…"
"If this continues, I'll be dead before the next station!"
Her voice trembled as she wavered on her feet. After hesitating for half a second, she made her choice—survival over pride. She pressed herself closer to Kouya's side.
The smell lessened slightly, but it still lingered. She could almost see her life flashing before her eyes.
In a moment of desperate clarity, Gabriel bit her lip, turned around, and before Kouya could react, she moved directly in front of him—and wrapped her arms around his waist, burying her face into his chest.
Kouya blinked. "…"
'So this… is what they call 'throwing yourself into someone's arms'?'
'I didn't even agree to this!'
'This has to count as assault, right?!'
"Haaah~" Gabriel exhaled, breathing in his clean scent as if it were fresh air after drowning. "Finally… I survived."
As much as she hated to admit it, Kouya's scent was comforting—no sweat, no sharp detergent, just a calm, natural warmth. It felt safe.
"What are you doing?" Kouya asked, looking down at the angel glued to his chest.
"Don't talk!" she mumbled, her face pressed against him. "You're just a… human-shaped pillow, that's all. Don't get the wrong idea. And when we get off, you'll forget this ever happened—or you're dead! Got it?"
'Unbelievable. You hug me without warning and then threaten me?!'
But as Kouya looked closer, he noticed her ears—tinted a soft, embarrassed pink.
…
The train rocked slightly as it sped through the tunnel. Around them, passengers swayed and grumbled, lost in their own worlds. Yet, in this tiny, crowded space, time seemed to slow.
Her small, warm body was pressed against him; her breath tickled his chest through his shirt. He could hear the quick rhythm of her heartbeat mixing with his own. Their warmth and scent intertwined, filling the cramped space with a strange tension neither could name.
Kouya swallowed. His throat felt dry. His pulse sped up.
'What am I supposed to do… right now?' he thought, his mind a blur.
He tightened his grip on the rail above and cautiously rested his other hand on her shoulder. Her skin was soft, impossibly smooth beneath the fabric. The warmth of her body spread under his fingertips, making it difficult to pull away.
Gabriel's body trembled slightly in his hold. For a second, it almost felt like she wasn't going to move at all.
Then—
A blinding pain shot through Kouya's stomach.
Gabriel's tiny fist had slammed into him like a cannonball.
She lifted her head, cheeks bright crimson, eyes blazing with outrage. "Idiot! If you dare touch me again, you're dead!"
Kouya doubled over slightly, groaning. "…You've got to be kidding me."
'This script is completely wrong!'
'You were the one who hugged me, and now I can't even breathe without getting punched?!'
Nearby passengers had clearly noticed the scene. A ripple of chuckles spread through the car.
Gabriel's face turned even redder under the amused stares. Her confidence crumbled in an instant. With a frustrated huff, she hid her burning face back in Kouya's chest.
"What are they looking at!" she muttered, voice muffled.
"I only did this because that sweaty old man smelled awful!"
"You're just like that couple outfit—you'll be thrown away when I'm done with you!"
She paused for a beat, still half-buried in his chest, then mumbled stubbornly:
"…Yeah, exactly!"
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