Chapter 161: The Shameful Satania
In the early hours of the following morning, Hachiman and Komachi, the siblings, concluded their breakfast and prepared for school. As they stepped outside their home, they noticed Vignette standing in front of the apartment building across the street.
"Good morning, Vigne-nee," Komachi called out from a distance.
Due to pronunciation nuances, Vignette was often lovingly referred to as "Vigne," a name she welcomed with a gentle smile.
"Good morning, Komachi-chan. Hikigaya-kun," Vignette greeted the siblings.
"Good morning, Tsukinose-san," Hachiman nodded in acknowledgment.
"Just like Komachi-chan, you can call me Vigne as well, Hikigaya-kun. And I appreciate your help before," Vignette said with a warm smile.
"Then, Vigne-san, just call me Hachiman," he replied with a chuckle.
Hachiman had hoped to build a better relationship with Vignette, and today presented the opportunity.
"Are you here to walk with Tenma-san today?" Hachiman inquired.
"Yes," Vignette nodded.
Hachiman seized the opportunity to draw closer. "Since the chance is here, how about we all head to school together?" he suggested.
"Sure, let's wait for Gab to come down, and we can go together," Vignette agreed.
After a few minutes, Vignette furrowed her brows. "What's taking her so long? Gab is usually down by this time. I wonder what's going on today..."
"Maybe something came up. How about we go up and check? We might be able to help with whatever's going on," Hachiman proposed.
"Um... alright, let's go together," Vignette agreed. Despite knowing Gabriel was an angel, she decided to investigate.
Ascending to the second floor of the apartment, guided by Vignette, the three of them reached the door of one of the rooms.
"Ding-dong... Ding-dong."
The girl reached out and rang the doorbell.
After a brief moment, the door clicked open, and a feeble voice inquired, "Who is it?"
The three of them turned toward the voice, catching a glimpse of Gabriel's face through the partially opened door.
However, the little angel seemed unlike her usual self. Her once-smooth golden hair appeared somewhat disheveled, faint dark circles lurked beneath her eyes, and even her gaze seemed somewhat vacant.
She looked like someone who had stayed up too late.
Seeing her in this condition, Vignette couldn't help but be surprised. "Gab, are you okay?"
"Oh, it's you, Vigne, and Hikigaya-kun and Komachi-chan. Why are you all here?" Gabriel replied wearily, standing at her own doorstep.
But, as he observed the three of them standing there, Hachiman arched an eyebrow.
Is she... falling from grace?
It had only been a few days since school began, and this decline seemed unusually swift.
"What do you mean, 'why are you all here'? We're here to take you to school, of course," Vignette declared.
"Huh? To school..."
At the mention of school, Gabriel finally displayed some reaction, though Hachiman at her side could discern a trace of reluctance in her gaze.
Observing this, Hachiman confirmed his suspicion.
This little angel was, without a doubt, in the throes of falling from grace.
"Yeah, Gab, you better hurry up and get ready; you'll be late if you don't." Witnessing Gabriel's lackluster state, Vignette's face displayed a trace of concern. As a diligent student, she certainly didn't want to be tardy.
Upon hearing Vignette's words, a fleeting sense of unease crossed Gabriel's countenance. Her expression seemed to wrestle with something, but eventually, she voiced her request.
"Um... Vigne, can you help me get a sick leave for today? I'm not feeling very well."
"Huh? Not feeling well."
This time, it was Vignette who was taken aback, for she was well aware of Gabriel's true identity as an angel. If even an angel claimed to be unwell, it must indeed be a substantial matter.
"Gab, are you sure you're okay? Should we... go to the... go to the hospital for a check-up?" The girl was initially about to suggest going to heaven for a check-up but promptly amended her words, realizing she was in the presence of Hachiman and Komachi, who were ordinary humans.
However, upon hearing Vignette's words, Gabriel swiftly shook her head. "No, it's not necessary. It's just a minor issue; I'll be fine in a few days."
She couldn't afford to take that risk. If heaven discovered her gaming addiction, they might whisk her away for rehabilitation, jeopardizing her mission to save the Valhalla Kingdom. To ensure the kingdom's salvation, she had to keep her secret from heaven.
"Are you truly sure it's alright?" Vignette's concern remained evident.
"No, no, it's alright. Don't fret. So, please help me secure that sick leave for today," Gabriel implored, her large eyes brimming with a request.
"Alright, alright, I'll help you obtain the sick leave today," Vignette eventually relented, agreeing to assist her in securing the leave.
"Then we'll be on our way. Get some rest, Gab," Vignette offered her final words of concern before departing the apartment, accompanied by Hachiman and Komachi.
"Alright, goodbye, Vigne, Hikigaya-kun, Komachi-chan," Gabriel bid them farewell as she watched them leave. With a definitive "thud," she shut the door and rapidly returned to her position in front of her computer.
Her actions and swiftness certainly didn't resemble those of someone who was unwell.
"Valhalla Kingdom, here I come!" Gabriel exclaimed with excitement, swiftly diving back into her gaming adventure.
...
Following their departure from Gabriel's apartment, the trio continued their journey towards school. On this particular day, they didn't cross paths with Kotonoha and Yui. As they proceeded down the street, with only Hachiman and Vignette walking together after bidding farewell to Komachi, they turned a corner and unexpectedly heard a somewhat familiar voice.
"Hey, stop it already!"
"Let go of me, you idiot. You always snatch my favorite pineapple bun."
Lifting their gaze, they spotted a figure locked in a tug of war with a dog over something. The red hair and a black bat hairpin could belong to none other than Satania, the foolish demon.
Upon closer scrutiny, they discerned that the object of their dispute was merely a regular pineapple bun.
What a disappointment. Was it genuinely worth contending with a dog over a plain pineapple bun? It certainly didn't cast the demons in a favorable light.
At this juncture, Satania had succeeded in reclaiming the pineapple bun and clutched it tightly against her chest, casting a defiant glare at the white stray dog.
And so, they stood there on the street, one human and one dog engaged in a tense standoff.
Although Satania had regained her precious pastry, the stray dog displayed no inclination to concede. It inched closer, step by step.
"Don't... don't come any closer."
"I warn you, I'm very powerful. It's such a waste for a young life like you to wither away so early."
Observing this, Hachiman couldn't help but stifle a smirk.
Hey, you're a demon; do you genuinely need to resort to threats, even when dealing with a dog?
"Satania, what in the world are you up to..."
Vignette, also a demon, found herself growing slightly exasperated, her face buried in her hand.
Just as she was about to go and pull the foolish girl away, a silver-haired girl approached from another street corner.
"Um, excuse me, do you need help?"