"Gabriel!"
Vignette angrily knocked the apocalypse horn out of Gabriel's hand.
"Gabriel, you're an angel! How can you casually think about destroying the world?!"
"But~"
Looking pitifully at Vignette, Gabriel said dejectedly, "I couldn't even catch up to Satania, and now she's holding onto such an embarrassing piece of my past. How can I continue living in this world? It's better to end it all!"
"Don't worry, I'll help you get it back."
Comforting Gabriel with a gentle smile, Vignette said, "So please put away the apocalypse horn, Gabriel."
"Alright..."
Looking up at Vignette, Gabriel nodded. "Since you asked, I won't destroy the world for now."
Clenching her hand, Gabriel prepared to put the apocalypse horn away.
"Huh?"
Looking down at her now-empty hand, Gabriel wondered, "Where's my apocalypse horn?"
"It looks like it makes a loud sound!"
Holding the horn, Chika Fujiwara beamed with excitement.
Raising the horn to her lips, she puffed her cheeks and prepared to blow.
"Pffft~~~"
"Huh?"
Opening her eyes after exerting all her strength, Chika stared at the silent horn in confusion. The expected blaring sound never came.
Shaking the horn, Chika examined its opening carefully.
"Broken... What a shame."
Turning to Ruri Gokou, Chika sighed, "I wanted to show you the horn-blowing technique I learned as a kid. But who knew it would be broken."
"Not fun. Here, take it back."
Shoving the horn back into Gabriel's hand, Chika skipped away.
"What a terrifying woman."
Staring blankly at the retreating Chika, Gabriel whispered, "If not for the fact that only I can blow the apocalypse horn, the world would already be destroyed."
Bonk!
A light chop landed on Gabriel's head.
"Stop playing around and put it away," Hiroshi said sternly.
"Okay."
Obediently nodding, Gabriel tucked the horn away, then looked at Hiroshi. "Why didn't you stop that woman earlier? Weren't you afraid the world would end?"
"I'm not blind."
With a wry smile, Hiroshi turned to Ruri Gokou. "Ruri, I know you're thinking about teaching Chika magic after seeing Tohru and Gabriel. But I seriously hope you reconsider."
"Otherwise, I wouldn't be surprised if she accidentally summons a demon with a beginner's spellbook."
"Agreed."
Nodding solemnly, Ruri Gokou watched Chika eagerly browsing a nearby stall.
"I'll think about it carefully."
"Also..."
Pressing a hand on Gabriel's shoulder, Ruri locked eyes with her.
"Gabriel, I never want to hear that kind of talk again."
"This world is my home. You can't destroy it just because you're feeling down."
"Yes, ma'am!"
Standing upright, Gabriel saluted. "Don't worry, Ruri-nee! I'll never say something like that again."
"I believe you."
Smiling warmly, Ruri added, "After all, you're still an angel."
"Oh, and if I hear it again... no ice cream for a week."
"Ah!!"
Gabriel's pupils widened as her body stiffened, flipping instantly from lazy to alert.
"I swear, Ruri-nee, you'll never hear anything like that from me again!"
Standing beside Hiroshi, Vignette chuckled at Gabriel's transformation.
"Ever since meeting Hiroshi and Ruri-nee today, Gabriel has changed a lot."
"So quickly, it caught me off guard."
"Don't like it?"
Seeing Vignette's smile, Hiroshi asked teasingly.
"Not at all."
Shaking her head gently, Vignette smiled.
"No matter how much Gabriel changes, she's still Gabriel. I'll always care for her."
"Because we're friends."
"Vignette, you're just like an angel."
Unable to resist, Hiroshi patted Vignette's head, then froze.
"Sorry, you were just so cute at that moment, I couldn't help it."
Covering her mouth, Vignette giggled softly.
"Hiroshi, you seem great with kids. Like a dependable older brother."
"I think I understand why Gabriel got so close to you so quickly."
"Don't worry. For some reason, you also feel very familiar to me."
Looking up at Hiroshi, Vignette blushed lightly.
"Almost like... a father."
"Oh, Satania feels the same!"
Sniffling, Satania suddenly chimed in, tears welling in her eyes.
Wiping away her tears, Satania said, "For some reason, being near Big Brother Hiroshi feels so comforting."
"Like soaking in a warm bath back in my mother's womb."
Pulling out a handkerchief, Hiroshi gently wiped Satania's face.
Looking closely at Satania and the sneaky Gabriel approaching from behind, a flash of realization lit Hiroshi's eyes.
"I see now."
Reaching out, Hiroshi lifted Gabriel off Satania.
Helping Satania up, Hiroshi turned to Vignette and Gabriel.
"I thought you felt close to me because of my 'big brother' aura from raising two sisters. But it's not just that."
"You feel connected to me because our abilities complement each other, forming a natural bond."
"I feel the same way."
Rubbing his forehead, Hiroshi chuckled.
"No wonder I felt an instant connection. It's the combination of emotional resonance and compatibility."
Dangling from Hiroshi's grip, Gabriel softly asked, "So... were you nice to me because of that connection?"
"Not at all."
Ruffling her hair, Hiroshi smiled.
"I genuinely enjoy being with you. That feeling is real."
"Trust me. It's not just instinct."
"Okay."
Nodding slightly, Gabriel's face lit up briefly before returning to her usual lazy demeanor.
Kicking the fallen Satania gently, Gabriel asked, "Where's the camera?"
"The camera... I... don't know..."
Tears welling again, Satania pointed vaguely into the distance.
"I think... it's gone... somewhere... Wahhh!"