Chapter 250: A Good Wife...
After struggling for a while, Vigne still couldn't break free from Kouya's grasp. His fingers were firm, his warmth impossible to shake off. She wiggled and tugged, but the harder she tried, the tighter he held. Finally, she gave up, puffing out her pink cheeks in defeat before turning her head away with an annoyed little huff.
"I–I can't help it..."
Her voice was a whisper, as if trying to convince herself more than anyone else.
"We can't disturb others watching the movie, right?" she muttered again, cheeks still pink. "Once it's over, I'll deal with him later... yeah, that's fine..."
Trying to console herself with that flimsy excuse, Vigne forced her attention back to the big screen, pretending to focus. The eerie glow from the movie flickered across her face, making her even more nervous.
A sudden jump scare flashed by—the sound of a screaming ghost cutting through the theater. Vigne gasped and let out a small squeal before she could stop herself. The shock made her squeeze Kouya's hand tighter. But the warmth radiating from his palm soothed her just enough that she didn't pull away this time. In fact, without realizing it, she shifted slightly closer, almost brushing against him.
Meanwhile, on Kouya's other side, Raphiel's lips curved upward in a sly, knowing smile. She covered her mouth daintily, a glint of mischief flickering in her eyes. The angel leaned in slowly and wrapped her arms around Kouya's other arm, pressing herself lightly against him.
"What are you doing?" Kouya asked in a low voice, side-eyeing her.
Raphiel simply blinked at him, eyes glimmering. "I'm scared too."
'Scared? Yeah right. You're glowing with joy right now!'
"Let go."
"Nope," Raphiel said sweetly. "I want the same treatment as Vigne-chan. It's only fair, isn't it?"
Kouya could only sigh helplessly. The situation was ridiculous.
As the movie progressed, the scenes became darker, the tension thicker. Every time the ghost appeared on screen, the haunting music and sudden flashes made Vigne jolt. Her body trembled slightly each time, and every tremor made her clutch Kouya's hand harder. She didn't even notice her fingers had begun to wrap around his naturally, her thumb brushing his without thinking. The theater was dim, but her flustered expression was easy to imagine—eyes half-shut, lips trembling.
By the time the movie reached its climax, she had completely forgotten that it was Kouya who had taken her hand first.
Time trickled by slowly, the final scene fading into the credits. The lights came up, revealing a blushing Vigne trying to catch her breath. She looked down—and froze.
Their hands weren't just touching anymore. Their fingers were intertwined, locked together as if it had been natural all along.
Her heart skipped a beat. Then came the rush of heat—spreading up her neck, into her cheeks, until her whole face turned redder than the sunset.
She yanked her hand away so fast she nearly dropped her purse. Then she glanced nervously at Raphiel and Satania. Thankfully, neither of them seemed to notice.
Vigne exhaled softly. 'Good... they didn't see...'
But the moment she relaxed, Raphiel turned and gave her a teasing smile that sent her heart into overdrive.
'Did Raphiel see? Oh no—did she see?!'
'No, no, that's not what happened! He grabbed me first! I was just... just trying to stay calm!'
'Still, that didn't make it any less embarrassing. If Raphiel tells Gabi-chan or Rikka about this, I'll die of shame! Literally die!'
Just imagining that possibility made Vigne's entire head feel hot, steam practically rising from her hair.
"Vigne-chan, are you okay?" Raphiel's elegant, sing-song tone floated to her ears.
Vigne jumped. "N-No, I'm fine! Totally fine!"
"Really?" Raphiel leaned forward, resting her cheek in one hand. "You look pale. Did the movie scare you that much?"
"Y-Yeah, a little..." Vigne coughed and tucked a lock of hair behind her ear, looking down to hide her blush. She fiddled with the hem of her skirt nervously.
'Phew... thank goodness Raphiel doesn't know...'
Her thoughts were frantic, but she didn't realize her lips had curled into a small, guilty smile.
Across from her, Raphiel's eyes sparkled. 'Oh, she has no idea that I know everything... how delightful. This is going to be so much fun.'
...
Even after they left the theater, Vigne's flustered expression refused to fade. Her complexion kept switching between pale and red, like an overworked thermometer. Only Satania seemed blissfully unaware, humming to herself as they walked.
Then, out of nowhere, Satania blinked and asked, "Hey, why do guys always snore when they sleep? The man in the movie kept doing it! Is that, like, a thing?"
Kouya sighed inwardly. Just because a movie character snores doesn't mean everyone does!
"I don't snore," Kouya replied casually. "If you don't believe me, you can ask Vigne—"
Before he could finish, pain shot through his side as Vigne pinched him.
'Ow! What the hell?!'
'I was just stating a fact! You should know better than anyone that I don't snore—especially after that night at the hotel!'
Kouya caught her glare, cold enough to freeze fire. Yeah... maybe he should keep quiet.
"It's getting late," Vigne said quickly, clearing her throat to shift the topic. "We should head back."
"Yeah, let's go," Kouya agreed.
Outside, the evening air was cool and golden. The sun was sinking slowly, spilling its colors across the sky—fiery oranges, soft pinks, melting into dusk. The clouds burned with light, and the warm breeze carried a faint scent of city life mixed with blooming flowers.
As they walked home, their shadows stretched long on the pavement. When they passed a convenience store, Kouya stopped and grabbed a basket.
"Eh, Kouya-kun, do you always eat bentos at night?" Raphiel asked curiously, tilting her head.
"Yeah," Kouya said simply, grabbing his usual boxed meal.
He only cooked when he felt like it. Most nights, it was quicker—and lazier—to buy a ready meal.
"But won't you get bored of that?" Raphiel leaned forward with a knowing smile. "How about letting Vigne-chan cook for you instead?"
"Eh?! W-Why me?!" Vigne's face puffed up again. She crossed her arms defensively, clearly still holding a grudge over the theater incident.
Raphiel's tone turned syrupy. "Because Vigne-chan's cooking is amazing. It's full of love and care—it'd make any man happy. You'd make such a perfect little housewife... or should I say, a good wife~"
Vigne froze like a statue.
"W-W-Wife?!" she stammered, her voice breaking.
Her whole body flushed pink as she clutched her bag tightly. "Raphiel! What are you saying?!" She bit her lip, face burning hotter than ever. "I—I have to go! I'm late for work!"
Before running off, she turned to glare at Kouya one last time, cheeks puffed in outrage and embarrassment. Then she spun around and hurried away, practically fleeing.
Kouya groaned quietly. "Why are you glaring at me? I didn't even say anything..."
He shook his head, paid for his food, and left the store with Raphiel and Satania. The evening lights flickered on as they made their way back toward the apartment. When they passed through a small plaza, Kouya's gaze shifted toward a quiet figure in the distance.
...
On a lonely bench sat a petite girl, framed by the dying sunlight.
She wore a dark gothic dress with layered lace, paired with red shoes that caught the fading light. White stockings hugged her slim legs, and her purple hair shimmered faintly as she swung her feet back and forth. A lollipop poked out of her lips as she stared blankly at the square, looking utterly bored.
At a glance, she looked like a middle schooler—but her sharp, playful eyes betrayed an intelligence that was anything but childish.
"Ugh, seriously... why am I the one stuck with this? Suzuki Ninosuke gets beaten, and suddenly it's my job to investigate? I was supposed to be on vacation," she grumbled, kicking her heels lightly. "So dull... I could be drinking tea right now..."
She sighed dramatically, hugging a small teddy bear close to her chest.
"Let me guess, that idiot probably said something like 'My destiny is to wander the world!' and ended up getting smacked down again. Typical. In a city like this, how strong could the opponent even be?"
The golden light stretched her shadow long and thin across the pavement.
Ai Igarashi.
One of the Four Heavenly Kings of the Truth Society. Her special ability—Insight—allowed her to perceive the strength of living beings within a certain radius. That's why she had been sent here: to gather intel on whoever defeated Suzuki Ninosuke.
"Hmm... there he is... that boy, huh?"
She took the lollipop from her mouth and smiled lazily, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. When she looked at Kouya, her gaze briefly flicked to Raphiel beside him—and paused with envy at her chest before rolling her eyes.
"Let's get this done, file the report, and go home for tea and sweets... honestly, why does a refined lady like me have to deal with such menial work—"
Then her pupils dilated, the color draining from her face.
"...W-What?!"
Wanna read ahead? Join my Patreon and support the story — up to 6 new chapters are published for you every day!: patreon.com/ArealMaster