Chapter 104: The Great Demon Raphiel
Once Kouya made it clear he wasn't after her precious pineapple bun, Satania finally relaxed. She let out a dramatic hum, crossed her arms, and lifted her chin proudly as if standing on the stage of a villain's monologue.
"By the way, your performance at the amusement park last week wasn't bad," she said with fake grandeur. "Naturally, a reward is in order… How about a yakisoba bread?"
Yakisoba bread?
That strange culinary invention that appeared in the manga Yakitate!! Japan—a bun stuffed with fried noodles, somehow adored by the entire country despite sounding like two random foods mashed together. The thought alone made Kouya tilt his head, unable to comprehend Japan's eccentric food tastes.
Seriously, this little demon was treating herself like royalty again.
"Why are you staring at me like that!" Satania demanded, clutching her pineapple bun as if it were a priceless artifact. "If you don't want yakisoba bread, fine! Pick something else, but this—" she pointed at her bun, her crimson eyes flashing with childish determination, "—is mine and only mine!"
Enough already!
Who on earth would even want your half-eaten, saliva-covered bun?!
Kouya could only sigh deeply, the kind of sigh reserved for hopeless situations. He decided not to waste another brain cell arguing with this idiot. Pulling out his phone, he called Vigne.
"I found the idiot. She's in the lobby, come over."
Two minutes later, the familiar sound of hurried footsteps echoed through the hallway. Vigne appeared, slightly out of breath, her eyes immediately locking onto Satania. Relief washed over her features as she rushed forward.
"Satania, are you okay?" she asked softly, her voice filled with genuine concern.
"Ahahaha! Of course I'm fine!" Satania laughed, hands on her hips.
"Then why are you here?"
"Well," Satania began, swishing her hair dramatically, "since you're asking so sincerely, I'll graciously tell you…"
As the little demon launched into her grand explanation, Vigne's gentle expression slowly turned to stone. The more Satania talked, the darker her face became, until her aura could have frozen a summer lake.
"…So it was just because of that?" Vigne asked coldly.
"Yeah—wait, ow ow ow!"
Before she could finish bragging, Vigne's delicate fingers seized Satania's ear and twisted. The red-haired demon yelped and flailed her arms.
"It hurts! Vignette, let gooo!"
"Hmph! So you do feel pain! Why didn't you call me?!"
"My phone died!" Satania whimpered.
"Do you understand what you did wrong?"
"I'm the great—ow ow ow! Waaaah! Vigne's bullying me!"
"Wipe the crumbs off your mouth before you cry!"
Her voice was gentle but her grip merciless. Even Kouya looked away, pretending not to witness the public execution.
...
After giving Satania a well-deserved scolding, Vigne finally called Machiko to tell her the search was over. Then she led the now-deflated little demon to buy another ticket before the two rejoined the group in the theater.
Time passed.
The movie reached its emotional peak—a sunset scene painted the sea gold and crimson. A girl and her brother walked hand in hand along the shore, their laughter echoing through the theater like the ringing of distant bells. The sound of the waves merged with the score, warm and nostalgic.
"Eh? Is it ending already?" Gabriel mumbled groggily, rubbing her eyes as she stirred from her nap.
"By the way, wasn't it you who suggested this movie outing, Gabi-chan?" Raphiel asked, her voice carrying a teasing lilt.
"Hmm… maybe?" Gabriel answered lazily.
"And yet you've been asleep since the opening credits?" Raphiel leaned close, her smile both sweet and devilish.
"It's fine. The seat's just a bit stiff. I couldn't sleep well…" Gabriel muttered.
Before she could say more, Raphiel gasped dramatically. "Ah, my legs fell asleep!"
Then, as if struck by divine impulse, she collapsed onto Gabriel, pressing her soft chest into her friend's face while her hands 'accidentally' found their way to Gabriel's own.
"Get off me, idiot!" Gabriel's muffled voice came out half-angry, half-panicked.
"I'm just helping Gabi-chan with her development~" Raphiel teased, her tone dripping with faux innocence. "Or would you prefer if that perverted Kouya helped instead?"
Shut up!
You're the last person who should be talking about perverts! You literally attack people with your boobs for fun!
"Relax, relax," Raphiel said, giggling. "It's a girl-to-girl greeting ritual, you know~"
"What kind of culture greets each other like that?!" Kouya thought in disbelief.
"And what about girls who don't even have anything to greet with?!"
Raphiel's violet eyes sparkled playfully. "By the way, Kouya-kun, do you want to know everyone's sizes? Aside from Kanna-chan, I've already gathered the data~ If you beg me nicely, I might share it."
You really are the Great Demon, Raphiel!
It had only been a week, and she'd already managed to corrupt Takanashi Rikka too?!
And why the hell would you even bother measuring a dragon child?!
"You girls are unbelievable!" Vigne's voice finally broke through the chaos. Her face was beet red. "This is a movie theater! Behave yourselves!"
The ending credits rolled, the lights flicked back on, and reality returned.
"Hehehe, now I can buy more premium gacha items again," Gabriel said under her breath, stretching.
"What was that, Gabi-chan?" Vigne asked.
"N-Nothing!" Gabriel stammered.
"You're acting suspicious…"
"It's your imagination!" she said quickly, turning away.
...
Outside, night had already fallen. The streets were washed in soft gold and neon reflections. Raindrops tapped gently against umbrellas and asphalt alike, the rhythmic patter soothing yet melancholic.
"Ugh, rain again," Gabriel groaned, puffing her cheeks. "If this keeps up, I'm going to grow mold."
You probably already have!
"It's rather gloomy, isn't it?" Raphiel mused, tapping her lip. "Why don't we do something cozy? Like go to a hot spring, like in the movie."
"Eh?" Everyone turned toward her.
Raphiel smiled, her tone honeyed. "Hot springs are supposed to be wonderful for the skin and health. Perfect for a rainy season like this."
"You're right!" Rikka said cheerfully. "When I was little, my parents used to take me and my sister. It was so relaxing…"
Her words softened into silence. A shadow crossed her eyes, but she quickly forced a smile.
"Hot springs, huh?" Satania blinked. "But they must be expensive! I'm still saving for the next limited-edition pineapple bun drop."
"Too much hassle," Gabriel yawned. "I'll just stay home and game."
Vigne looked tempted for a moment but sighed. "Maybe another time."
The group's laughter and chatter slowly faded as they made their way to the train station.
...
By the time they stepped off the train, the city was cloaked in darkness. The rain continued its endless fall, creating shimmering reflections on the slick pavement.
Because of the weather, nobody felt like going out for dinner. One by one, they waved each other goodbye under the flickering lights of the platform.
"See you all tomorrow!"
"Yeah, see you."
Satania and Raphiel were the first to go, still bickering over snacks. Vigne turned to Gabriel and Rikka.
"Gabi-chan, take Rikka home first, then head back yourself. I'll take Kanna home."
Gabriel nodded, stifling another yawn. Together with Rikka, she disappeared into the night.
When their silhouettes faded, the air fell quiet. The rain's melody was the only sound left.
"It's getting late," Vigne murmured, glancing up at the gray clouds above. She handed Kouya her umbrella.
They walked in silence, their steps synchronized with the rain's rhythm. Streetlights glowed faintly, reflected in the wet road like scattered stars. The world felt both lonely and calm.
When they finally arrived beneath Kobayashi's apartment, Vigne stopped.
"You take Kanna up. I'll be fine."
Kouya nodded, but before he could move, he felt a prickling sensation.
He glanced upward—and there, on the fourth-floor balcony, stood a dragon maid, her eyes glowing faintly like a cat's in the dark, watching them curiously through the curtain of rain.