Chapter 162: The-Silver-Haired Angel
Rewinding a few minutes, a young girl strolled alone down the quiet street.
Her striking silver hair was graced by two cross-shaped hairpins, while a scarlet satin ribbon elegantly adorned the back.
Her visage was captivating, with light golden eyes radiating a gentle allure.
Her figure was nothing short of perfection, boasting long limbs and curves that stretched the limits of her school uniform.
Her mere presence had the power to turn heads wherever she ventured. However, at this particular moment, the enchanting girl seemed somewhat discontent, releasing a soft sigh.
She remarked, "Sigh, even though I've finally realized my long-awaited dream of living a human life, it's surprisingly a tad dull."
From her tone, it became apparent that this young girl wasn't quite human.
Indeed, you've got it right! The captivating young girl's name is Raphiel Ainsworth Shiraha, much like Gabriel.
They were both angels from heaven, and they were friends who attended the same school.
Gabriel held the prestigious position of valedictorian, while Raphiel claimed the salutatorian spot.
Despite her innocent appearance, Raphiel concealed a rather mischievous and somewhat devious personality, relishing in the act of teasing people.
"Isn't there anything interesting happening?" Raphiel sighed, expressing her discontent with the monotony of her life.
Just then, not too far ahead, she discerned voices.
"Hey, let go of me!"
"Why must you always steal my beloved pineapple bun?"
Raphiel's attention fixed forward, revealing a red-haired girl engaged in a tussle with a stray dog over a bag of pineapple buns.
It was none other than Satania, that amusingly foolish girl.
"She's genuinely wrestling with a dog."
Witnessing this peculiar scene, Raphiel's eyes sparkled, and she suddenly found herself captivated.
"This seems quite intriguing."
"It's been a while since I've experienced this sensation; my entire body trembles."
"My instincts are telling me that she'll be an excellent plaything."
With her arms nonchalantly crossed, a sense of delight coursed through her, causing her body to shiver slightly, and her cheeks even took on an unnatural flush.
It seems we have another pleasure-seeker on our hands.
"Ah, I must thank the divine for sending me such an interesting toy."
"I will ensure to properly train her."
In that moment, Raphiel had already classified Satania as her plaything.
While the foolish demon remained locked in a standoff with the dog, Raphiel initiated her own scheme.
Drawing closer to Satania, she elegantly addressed her.
"Um... Excuse me."
"What do you want?"
Turning around in response to a voice from behind, the foolish devil regarded the silver-haired girl with suspicion.
"I'm just a passing student."
However, Raphiel wasn't angry. She narrowed her eyes and uttered some rather unsettling words.
"May I inquire how you'd prefer to play with me?"
"What in the world are you saying out of the blue?" Satania was utterly perplexed.
"Ah, I seem to have unintentionally spoken my thoughts. I apologize."
Although she offered an apology, the devious angel's countenance unmistakably held an expression of pleasure.
"It appears you're not particularly skilled at handling dogs. You seem quite distressed."
"Who wouldn't be good at it? Just a stupid dog, ah..."
Upon hearing the implication that she lacked capability, Satania quickly countered and narrowly evaded the stray dog's attack.
"Hmph, now we're approaching a critical moment."
"Stupid dog, listen closely. I am Satania McDowell Kurumizawa, the one destined to reign over all things. I advise you to submit obediently beneath the feet of the great demon Satania."
This foolish demon was reciting her usual chuunibyou rhetoric.
But on the other side, there was merely a dog; what was the point of uttering such things to it?
In the face of Satania's "threats," the stray dog simply cocked its head and continued to approach her.
"Ah, why are you still getting closer?"
Satania panicked as she watched the dog draw nearer step by step.
Just as she began to cautiously step back, Raphiel's melodious voice resonated in her ears once more.
"Um, you need to converse with it in the language of dogs."
"The language of dogs?"
Pausing upon this suggestion, the foolish devil felt somewhat uncertain.
"That's correct. If you can envision yourself as a dog, you'll surely be able to communicate with it."
The silver-haired angel—or rather, the silver-haired devil—squinted her eyes, brought her hands together, and assumed an appearance of utmost sincerity, as if she were surrounded by a radiant halo.
Oh, may that halo not deceive you.
"Alright, I get it. I'll give it a shot."
Observing her in this state, Satania was somewhat skeptical. She turned to the stray dog, took a deep breath, and then—
"Woof... woof woof... woof..."
"Woof woof woof!"
"Woof~ woof~"
She employed various pitches and tones, as if she were genuinely attempting to convey some information.
Observing this spectacle, Hachiman and Vignette, who stood on the other side, were left utterly dumbfounded.
Vignette, in particular, a demon herself, couldn't even bring herself to meet Satania's gaze.
Hachiman's lips quirked.
Hey, you're a demon, and yet you fell for that so easily. Do demons have such innocent customs now? In the human world, you'd probably have been duped and married off long ago. Then, you'd likely end up counting someone else's money after being sold.
But in response to Satania's "communication," the dog simply tilted its head, displaying no signs of comprehension.
"It's completely futile. It still doesn't get it."
Satania pivoted, a touch puzzled, to glance at Raphiel behind her.
But she was met with a confident thumbs-up from the silver-haired angel.
"Don't worry, your message has gotten through to it. You can keep at it like this."
"Really? In that case, I'll give it another shot."
The foolish demon placed her faith once more and turned back to continue her spirited barking.
"Woof woof woof!"
"Woof... woof woof... woof..."
Behind her, Raphiel couldn't help but finally burst into laughter, covering her mouth.
Upon witnessing this, the two on the opposite side remained quiet.
"Hachiman-kun, let's take a different path," Vignette suddenly suggested, her voice sounding somewhat distant and devoid of her usual warmth.
"Uh... but what about Kurumizawa-san?"
Hearing the girl's words, Hachiman hesitated.
"Don't mind that idiot. At worst, she'll get teased a bit, but it won't lead to anything serious."
Vignette raised her head, but her amethyst eyes at this moment had no trace of light.
Is she feeling overly embarrassed, turning darker?
Hachiman mused inwardly.
It seems that even Vignette, who is usually helpful, gives up when it comes to dealing with a fool like Satania.
"Let's go, Hachiman-kun."
With that, the girl walked toward another street.
Glancing at the foolish demon still barking madly and the mischievous black-hearted angel on the other side, Hachiman remained expressionless. He followed Vignette and left.