Chapter 259: Being Followed...
Raphiel walked up to Igarashi Ai holding a parasol, her every movement exuding elegance. The sun reflected off the white silk of the umbrella, creating a soft halo around her golden hair as she smiled gracefully at the petite girl in front of her.
"Little girl, haven't we met somewhere before?" Her tone was teasingly polite, almost melodic.
"Little girl? You're the little one!" Igarashi Ai shot back with irritation, glaring at Raphiel's ample chest before puffing her cheeks and replying with fake innocence. "Nope, you must have mistaken me for someone else."
Raphiel tilted her head slightly, her smile deepening with quiet amusement. She twirled the parasol in her hand, letting the light dance across the metal handle. "Is this yours?"
"Yeah, yeah, it got blown away by the wind earlier. Thanks, onee-san..." Ai's sweet, doll-like tone was accompanied by a practiced blink of her big round eyes. Her voice carried a syrupy innocence that could melt any ordinary person's guard.
But Raphiel wasn't ordinary.
She didn't return the parasol immediately. Instead, she studied Ai closely, her gaze sharp behind that angelic smile. "If you want me to give this back to you, answer one question for me."
"What do you want to ask?" Ai tensed, her fingers subtly tightening at her sides.
'Damn it, did she already spot me back in the park?'
'And she made me call her onee-san on purpose just to mock me!'
Being played with like this burned her pride. Her tiny body was still sore, her legs slightly shaky. If she had even half her usual energy, she would have stormed off already.
'She's probably going to ask why I'm tailing her or who I'm working for...'
Her mind raced, imagining all sorts of interrogation scenarios. She had prepared countless fake answers. Yet Raphiel's next words shattered all her overthinking.
"Then, can you tell me your name?"
"...Eh?!" Ai froze. Her carefully built mental defenses crumbled instantly.
She had rehearsed spy responses, memorized escape routes, even imagined torture scenes—but not this.
"T-That's all you wanted to ask?"
"Yup, that's all," Raphiel said with a blink, her tone sweet but her eyes gleaming mischievously. "You wouldn't answer the other ones anyway, right?"
Ai hesitated, her lips pursing as she weighed the situation. Finally, she mumbled, "My name is Igarashi Ai."
"That's such a cute name, Ai-chan." Raphiel's voice softened like silk.
Ai's face reddened instantly. "Don't call me Ai-chan!"
Raphiel nodded solemnly. "Got it, Ai-chan."
Ai puffed her cheeks in outrage, her twin tails trembling. "You wicked woman! Call me something else!"
Raphiel covered her lips to stifle a giggle. "Alright, Ai-chan."
Her smile radiated warmth, but her eyes glimmered with mischief. Ai stared at her in disbelief, finally realizing—
This angel-faced woman was totally a sadist.
A graceful lady on the outside, a manipulative tease underneath!
"What are you trying to say?" Ai demanded, trying to muster authority. Unfortunately, her babyish voice and petite stature betrayed her.
Raphiel's tone was teasingly calm. "Relax, Ai-chan. You're always welcome to come play with me and Kouya. We're very welcoming people—we definitely won't treat you like a 'beep—' or anything."
Ai blinked, confused and speechless. "..."
What the hell did she just say?!
Why was that censored?!
Before Ai could retort, Raphiel gently handed back the parasol and turned away, her long hair swaying in the breeze. "See you around, Ai-chan."
Ai watched her walk off, her expression mixed with confusion and curiosity. "What a weird person..."
...
Meanwhile, in the park.
"Kouya, do you guys want to play dodgeball? It's super fun!" Tohru's tail swished eagerly.
"No," Kouya refused flatly.
Dodgeball with dragons? Not a chance. Especially with Lucoa on the field—she'd probably use the ball like a missile.
"I'm out too," Vigne said immediately, hands raised in surrender.
Playing dodgeball with dragons sounded like a death wish.
"Fine then," Tohru waved cheerfully. "Go ahead, have fun. Come back later if you want!"
...
Kanna stepped closer behind Kouya, clutching the edge of his shirt between her tiny fingers. She tugged it softly, once, twice, in a rhythm only he would recognize.
Kouya glanced down.
The small blue-eyed dragon looked up, eyes sparkling like sapphires. "I want baumkuchen."
Vigne smiled. "Alright, let's go get some." Then she paused, glancing around uneasily. "Kouya, do you feel like someone's watching us?"
Kouya said nothing, but his eyes shifted toward the flowerbed.
Several heads ducked down instantly.
"Phew, close one!" Satania whispered, patting her chest dramatically.
"So intense!" Rikka said, peeking out again.
"So fun!" Alice giggled, her cheeks glowing pink with excitement.
Gabriel sighed deeply, dragging her feet. 'You guys already got caught ages ago. He's just ignoring you.'
As Kouya and Vigne walked away, the four stalkers trailed them in ridiculous stealth, crouching behind trees and benches.
Gabriel trudged along behind, hands buried in her pockets. The sunlight filtered through the trees, leaving golden freckles on the path. The cicadas droned softly, and a cool summer breeze brushed her cheeks.
She blinked, staring at the scene. 'Why am I here again? Shouldn't I be home with a cola and my console?'
Her wings twitched lazily. 'Why am I sweating for this nonsense...?'
So weird...
...
Later that day, Kouya and Kanna wandered through the bustling food street. Stalls lined both sides, sizzling aromas filling the air—takoyaki, crepes, grilled corn. Kanna's eyes darted everywhere, glowing with pure delight.
They walked and ate, laughter and chatter blending with the hum of the crowd. Time slipped by until the sun began to dip low in the orange sky.
Vigne checked her watch and smiled softly. "Alright, let's head to the restaurant."
Kouya raised a brow. 'You were so hesitant earlier. Now you're the one suggesting it?' He smirked slightly. 'Guess having Kanna here makes it feel less like a date.'
"Oh!" Kanna raised her hand, chocolate still on her cheek.
Apparently, no matter how much she'd eaten—baumkuchen, takoyaki, dango—she was still ready for more.
Inside the restaurant, the staff led them to a window seat. Kouya handed over a coupon and ordered Kanna a kid's meal with extra dessert.
Vigne leaned forward, gently squeezing Kanna's round cheeks. "Kanna-chan, do you like school?"
"Yes."
"Did the teacher praise you today?"
"Yes."
"Do you finish all your homework?"
"Yes."
"Kanna-chan is so smart!" Vigne praised warmly.
Kouya exhaled, face blank. 'Smart? She's a thousand-year-old dragon doing elementary school worksheets.'
Kanna giggled, chewing her food happily. A smear of cream stuck to her lip.
Vigne pulled a napkin, leaned in close, and wiped her mouth tenderly.
Sunlight spilled through the glass, coating both of them in a golden glow. The restaurant hum faded into the background, leaving a peaceful stillness between them.
Kouya sat across the table, watching quietly. For once, everything felt calm.
...
Moments later, the meals arrived—colorful plates and the faint aroma of fresh sauce filling the air.
Vigne lifted her glass, took a sip of juice, then froze as the sunlight outside flickered.
The golden warmth dimmed, replaced by a strange shadow crossing the window.
She turned her head—and spat the juice in shock.
Wanna read ahead? Join my Patreon and support the story — up to 6 new chapters are published for you every day!: patreon.com/ArealMaster