Chapter 56: The Devil is One Foot Higher, the Way is One Yard Higher
"Ren, don't leave yet. I need to talk to you."
After school ended in the afternoon, just as Ren was about to participate in the go-home club's activities, Gabriel called out to stop him.
"What is it? A fight challenge or a confession?"
Ren raised an eyebrow and couldn't help but laugh. Gabriel, this somewhat unreal Angel, was his best friend.
Though they didn't communicate much daily, Ren knew he was an interesting person who didn't mind jokes as long as they weren't too extreme.
"Wouldn't you know if you came with me? As for a fight, believe me when I say I could punch you into outer space? And a confession is even less likely—how could a man be more important than games?"
Gabriel didn't mind Ren's joking, fired back a retort, and then left the classroom first.
"Bocchi-chan, you should go to Shimokitazawa with Kita today. I need to see what Gabriel wants with me."
Ren, who had originally planned to escort Hitori and Ikuyo to Shimokitazawa, changed his mind. If it had been Satou looking for him, he definitely wouldn't be interested, but Gabriel was truly different. He wanted to see what this Angel was being so mysterious about.
"Okay."
Hitori didn't have the flaw of being willful—like throwing a tantrum if Ren didn't escort her. Knowing Ren had matters to attend to, she went to find Ikuyo on her own. Similarly, this was also her first time going out to play with a female friend after school.
Having settled matters with his girlfriend, Ren followed Gabriel out to the school grounds, walking and talking as they went.
"Hmm? Ren, aren't you going home with Bocchi-chan today?"
Just as Gabriel was about to speak, Yuno emerged from around the corner. Surprised to see Ren and Gabriel together, she naturally walked over to Ren's side.
"No, I'm planning to handle some matters with Gabriel. What about you?"
Another chance encounter, but the school wasn't that big, so Ren didn't think much of it, offering a casual explanation.
"I was helping the teacher deliver some materials and preparing to go home. If we're going the same way, shall we walk together for a bit? I won't disturb you."
A faint smile appeared on Yuno's face as she gracefully carried her single-strap bag beside Ren, resembling a pure lily flower.
"That's fine too. Gabriel, that should be okay, right?"
Ren nodded. He was already sensing the Yamato Nadeshiko qualities in Yuno, which felt very comfortable.
"No, this is something I can only discuss with you alone. No one else can be present."
Gabriel narrowed his eyes. Matters about changing fate couldn't be known by ordinary people.
"Then let's talk about it on our phones. Let's exchange contact information."
Ren didn't insist. Since they couldn't speak openly with Yuno present, they could just communicate via phone.
"..."
Seeing this, Yuno lowered her eyelids and sighed quietly to herself. She knew she couldn't prevent this from happening—it was too difficult to guard against information leaks. If they couldn't speak face-to-face, they could chat on phones, or even exchange letters.
But still...
Yuno turned her gaze toward Gabriel, considering whether to take action.
Ten minutes earlier, she had been startled when she saw in her Future Diary that Gabriel would tell Ren about someone changing his fate, initially thinking there might be another Future Diary holder.
But according to her investigations over the years, she had discovered that she was the only person in this world who possessed a Future Diary—and specifically, one about Ren.
For now, at least, she didn't want Ren to know this secret. But how did Gabriel find out? Could it be that she possessed some other supernatural tool?
So she considered whether she should silence her permanently.
No, perhaps she didn't need to go that far. She could just lock her up and use love to reform her, making sure she wouldn't speak carelessly.
Thinking this, after parting ways with Ren and the others at the school gate, Yuno turned and followed Gabriel.
"Huh~"
Gabriel had originally thought she would need to ask Ren for more money and put in some extra effort to find out who had altered his fate. She hadn't expected the other party to come to her on their own.
But the question was, how did the other party know she was about to reveal the secret?
Interesting.
Gabriel's interest was piqued. She led Yuno to a nearly abandoned, secluded park—a place rarely visited by people, perfect for a confrontation.
"I'm curious—how did you know I was going to expose you?"
Gabriel knew this ordinary world wasn't as simple as it seemed. After all, if she was here, it wasn't surprising that other supernatural beings might appear. However, under the decree of the Supreme God, even deities from other worlds had to keep a low profile and live quietly.
Yet, someone like Yuno, who could foresee and alter others' futures, remained deeply mysterious. A single misstep could potentially change the course of world events, and that was why Gabriel was so intrigued.
"I'm also very curious, Gabriel-san, about how you found out what I did to Ren."
Yuno's smile remained gentle as she calmly drew an axe from her shoulder bag.
"?"
"What, planning to chop someone up? Let me tell you, that would change the nature of this entirely."
Seeing Yuno pull out an axe without even pretending to hide her intentions, Gabriel was taken aback for a moment before letting out an exasperated laugh.
"...?"
She's not afraid?
Yuno halted her steps. Before knowing Ren's stance, she was reluctant to stain her hands with blood—after all, that would make her a criminal. Her abusive adoptive parents, for instance, had merely been sent to a mental hospital to live a fate worse than death.
But Gabriel showed no fear upon seeing the weapon. Was she capable of defending herself, or was she just pretending?
This left Yuno both startled and suspicious. An ordinary person would have been terrified, legs trembling, at the sight of someone aggressively brandishing an axe—especially when both parties had already laid their cards on the table.
"Gabriel-san, could you keep my secret? That would be best for both of us. I mean no harm to Ren."
After a moment of thought, Yuno decided against taking action and instead attempted to negotiate with Gabriel.
"You might not have any intentions now, but who's to say about the future? You pulled out an axe without hesitation—do you really think I'd see you as some harmless little bunny?"
Gabriel's expression turned peculiar. Though Yuno had refrained from attacking, it was only out of caution. If someone this ruthless were in Hell, she'd easily rank as a Greater Devil.
Even if it was just a bluff, the sheer audacity was impressive.
"What a pity, then. It seems I'll have to use other methods to make you keep quiet, Gabriel-san."
Yuno sighed. No matter who or what Gabriel was, if she couldn't be reasoned with, then locking her up and reforming her through love would have to do.
As soon as the words fell, Yuno put down her shoulder bag and charged at Gabriel with an axe.
"What a hassle... I'll have to make that bastard Watanabe pay extra!"
Gabriel clicked her tongue in annoyance, never expecting it would come to a fight. She wasn't afraid nor did she dodge—after all, she was an Angel from the Celestial Realm, and a top graduate at that. She could even destroy the world if she wanted to, so why would she fear Yuno?
As Yuno closed in, Gabriel sidestepped and grabbed the wrist of Yuno's axe-wielding hand. With a slight exertion of force, she pinned Yuno to the ground.
"???"
Yuno didn't even see how Gabriel had done it. All she felt was a blur before her eyes, and the next moment, she was pressed to the ground by Gabriel.
"Not worried about you leaking secrets anyway—I'm an Angel, you know. Haven't you even heard of Gabriel before making a move? Think you're all that, huh?"
???
But the problem was, weren't Angels all fabricated??
Yuno's expression turned stunned. She had originally thought Gabriel was, at most, someone like her who possessed supernatural tools or abilities. She never expected her to be an Angel—an actual Angel! How could one possibly descend to the human world!?
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