Chapter 194: A New Angel Descends!
On July 30th, the weather in Tokyo was sunny with occasional clouds, and the temperature ranged from 25°C to 32°C (77°F - 90°F).
Compared to the 35°C (95°F) heatwaves of the previous two days, today's temperature had dropped slightly, but it was still hot enough to make people feel restless and irritable.
That afternoon, Poporon and Pekola, each pulling a suitcase, returned from Hokkaido by plane. They had spent the last few days touring Hokkaido and had an absolute blast. The cool weather in Hokkaido had been very comfortable for them, and for a time, they had almost forgotten the oppressive summer heat.
However, the moment they returned to their familiar city, the wave of heat that hit them immediately made both angels wilt.
"Tokyo is so hot!" Poporon listlessly dragged her suitcase through the airport terminal, feeling like she was in a sauna. "It would be great if the boss temporarily moved the restaurant to Hokkaido and took us with him!"
(´～`)
"He'd never do that, would he?" Pekola turned her head, glanced at Poporon, and listlessly pointed out the flaw in that logic.
Although she liked the sound of Poporon's idea, it was just too impractical. What normal person would do that? The location for a new shop, the cost of renovations, and a place for them to live... all of it would be a huge hassle.
Not to mention, Ryohei Tanaka and the others had only just moved into their luxury villa a few days ago. Asking them to abandon it to go to Hokkaido seemed completely unrealistic. And what about the shop here and their apartment? Leaving them empty would be such a waste.
"...It's not entirely impossible," Poporon said, bending a slender white finger to her chin. She lowered her head in thought for a moment. "I feel like he runs the restaurant more as a hobby, or to pass the time. And Miss Yurine is on summer vacation now, so she could go with him..."
"He's very afraid of the heat. He always brought Koji-kun or Yusa with him during the food festival..."
"I'll suggest it to him later. He might just agree!" Poporon's spirits lifted, and she looked at Pekola, full of motivation.
Pekola's eyes widened slightly as she listened to this half-baked analysis. She had to admit, it actually made some sense. A look of surprise crossed her face. She quickly looked away and shrugged. "Whatever you want."
She still thought it was unlikely. But if Poporon wanted to try, let her. There was no reason to stop her.
"..."
Soon, the two angels exited the airport. Suddenly, a light and cheerful melody reached their ears.
"Huh?"
"This tune is..."
Poporon and Pekola both froze, stopping in their tracks. They looked around in surprise, then simultaneously looked up.
White feathers were drifting down from the sky.
A sweet-looking girl with pink twintails, wearing a white dress adorned with golden holy crests and a gold cross at the collar, descended gracefully. She had pure white wings on her back and a golden halo above her head, and she was sitting on a swing wrapped in flower vines.
"Hehehe, I found you, Lady Pekola, and Poporon..."
Pino leaped lightly from the flower swing. Her white, platform Mary Janes hit the ground with a crisp tap. She bent her knees slightly to absorb the impact, and the ample curves of her chest swayed with the movement.
"You... you're the one who always appears when I try to remember Heaven!" Pekola said, her eyes wide as she stared at the angel before her. She looked familiar, but that was all.
Poporon, however, called out her name in surprise: "Pino!"
"Mhm-hm," Pino replied with a grin, her hands behind her back.
"Finally... are we going back?" Pekola looked at Pino, her gaze flickering. She let out a breath, a complicated smile on her face. Once she returned to Heaven and put her halo back on, she would no longer be just Pekola; she would be the Archangel Pekola. And then, she would probably have to resume hunting demons and witches...
"Is it really going to be that simple?" Poporon wasn't as optimistic as Pekola. She crossed one arm over her chest, pinched her chin, and eyed Pino with suspicion.
Take her own case, for example. When she descended, it wasn't to welcome Pekola back; it was to get rid of her and take her place as Archangel.
"As expected of Poporon. Unlike Lady Pekola, you're quite smart," Pino said, clapping lightly in praise. Her tone, however, was filled with playful mockery.
Pekola froze, her heart sinking. She couldn't help but ask, "Are you saying I'm not smart?"
'Was I not obvious enough?' Pino gave Pekola a silent, judging look. She didn't answer the question, saying instead, "The people in Heaven saw you happily mingling with demons. Therefore, you have both been declared traitors and are now wanted!"
Even though they were somewhat prepared for it, hearing they were traitors and were being hunted still made Poporon and Pekola's eyes go wide. They stared blankly for a moment, and when they recovered, they shouted in unison, "Wait a minute! Poporon (Pekola) did not betray Heaven!"
"I have extenuating circumstances!" Poporon, in particular, felt extremely wronged. Her halo had been stolen by Yurine. She was only hanging out with them to get it back. Although she had to admit, this period hadn't been so bad... but she truly had not betrayed Heaven!
"I was originally assigned to care for Lady Pekola. The Lord has granted me the authority to punish you both. That is why I am here today." Ignoring their protests, Pino used her angelic power to summon her weapon—a two-handed axe that glinted with a cold light.
'Punish Pekola, mainly!'
Hearing this, Pekola's small body swayed. She felt dizzy, as if she had just taken an even greater blow than before.
"And..." The sweet-smiling, elegant, pink-haired angel—a classic haraguro (a "black-bellied" character)—suddenly revealed a dark expression. She looked at Poporon and Pekola and said, "As long as I eliminate you, I will have the chance to become the new Archangel!"
"For the sake of my bright future, please, both of you, die!"
"Why is it," Pekola asked, looking at Pino in utter confusion and dismay, "that you, and Poporon... why are you both so obsessed with status? Is it because my usual teachings were wrong?"
"No, it's just that when anyone is around you, Lady Pekola, they can't help but want to usurp your position," Poporon said, grinning at Pekola.
"How can you say something so cruel!" Pekola shot back, feeling even more dejected.
"...I'm surprised you can both be so carefree at a time like this." Pino narrowed her eyes, looking at them with clear annoyance. "Do you really think that even without your halos, you are a match for me?"
"No, without our halos, we're definitely not your match, but..."
'But we are not just "two" people right now!'
Poporon turned her head and asked Pekola in a calm, unhurried voice, "The boss and the others should be back by now, right?"
"I don't know... maybe, probably..." Pekola's voice was uncertain.
"In any case..."
The two angels exchanged a look. In perfect sync, they grabbed their suitcases and used the last vestiges of their angelic power to teleport and flee.
If they're not back, we'll just have to stall Pino until they are!
"Do you think you can run?" Pino's eyes narrowed as she watched them disappear. The next second, she vanished from the spot as well.
At that exact moment, Jashin-chan, who had gone out to buy groceries, returned to the villa carrying several large bags...
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