Chapter 267: Couple Outfits
"Here—have a drink."
Gabriel bought two cans from the vending machine, the metal clinking as they dropped into the tray. She brushed her bangs aside, turned with a sly grin, and extended one toward Kouya like a smug queen offering tribute.
"Offering me a drink?" Kouya's mouth twitched. His tone was neutral, but his eyes betrayed amusement.
Really, how could she say that with a straight face? She had literally used his money to buy it. Should he thank her and then help her count her change, too? (╯‵□′)╯︵┻━┻!
He took the can anyway, glancing at the label. It was a local Sarsaparilla soda—generic design, promising health and vitality. It looked suspicious enough to be medicine disguised as soda. The thought didn't exactly inspire confidence.
He flipped the tab and took a sip, the carbonation faint and the taste somewhere between mint and bitter roots.
Gabriel leaned in, clearly waiting for a reaction. Her lips curled into that self-satisfied smirk she always wore when she thought she'd managed to prank someone. "Well? How's it taste?"
Kouya didn't even flinch. He swallowed calmly, then nodded. "Not bad."
"Huh!? Not bad? Are you sure about that!?" Gabriel's eyes went wide in disbelief.
"Sure," he said simply.
She squinted suspiciously. "Impossible... The internet said it's disgusting! Don't tell me those reviews were fake." She snatched the can from his hand before he could respond. "I'll see for myself."
One sip later—
"Ptooey!" She spat it out with dramatic flair, scrubbing her mouth with her sleeve. "Bleh! You jerk! You tricked me!"
"I didn't trick you."
"You totally did! Only a monster could drink that without grimacing!" Gabriel puffed out her cheeks and clenched her tiny fists like a furious child.
Kouya merely shrugged. "If it's on the market, someone must like it. People adapt to strange flavors. Beer, coffee, tea—all of them taste weird the first time. Maybe you're just picky."
"Don't compare me to weird old people drinks!" she protested.
He raised the can again, eyes glinting mischievously. "Want another sip? For science."
"No! You're insane!"
...
The train arrived before she could retaliate. They boarded, and by some miracle, found two adjacent seats. The cabin was half-empty—just a few commuters, a sleeping salaryman, and a high school couple whispering softly.
Gabriel flopped into her seat and crossed her arms, muttering under her breath. Kouya could tell she was still sulking about the drink.
Within minutes, though, she was quiet.
He glanced sideways—and blinked. She had fallen asleep.
Seriously? Did she have a power to nap on command? Or had she stayed up gaming again until sunrise? He could imagine her surrounded by energy drink cans and crumbs, yelling at online opponents.
He sighed and leaned back, scrolling through the news on his phone. But soon, he felt a light pressure against his arm.
Gabriel had slumped sideways, her head resting on him.
Not quite hugging him, but close enough that her soft hair brushed his sleeve. She shifted, finding the perfect angle, and settled there peacefully.
Her golden hair spilled like sunlight across his arm. Despite her usual messiness, it was clean, faintly fragrant—like citrus shampoo and something warm. Her sleeping face was calm, almost angelic in the literal sense, her lips slightly parted, her breathing even.
It was such a rare sight that Kouya couldn't look away for a moment. Gone was the lazy, grumbling gamer who refused to lift a finger for anyone. In her sleep, she looked... human. Peaceful.
Then came the wet chill.
Kouya froze, a vein twitching in his forehead. He slowly turned his head.
At the corner of Gabriel's mouth gleamed a silvery thread.
Drool.
It ran down the side of her cheek, along his sleeve, spreading like a cold stain of betrayal.
'Fantastic,' he thought darkly. 'She's not just lazy—she's contagious.'
...
By the time the train neared their stop, she stirred. Her lashes fluttered, and she let out a soft yawn before stretching her arms. The moment she noticed his gaze, she stiffened.
"Eh? What are you staring at, perv!?" she blurted, jumping back.
Kouya calmly pointed at his sleeve.
She followed his gesture, blinked, and saw the dark wet mark. Her face turned bright red.
Gabriel wiped her mouth and immediately turned toward the window. "You're imagining things."
Her ears were glowing. Drooling on someone was one thing—but getting caught was apparently the true humiliation.
"Wash my clothes when we get home," Kouya said flatly.
"Hmph. No way."
"You sure about that?" His eyes narrowed.
She hesitated. "Wh-what's that supposed to mean?"
He pulled a tissue and dabbed the wet spot with exaggerated care. "Night raid."
Her wings almost shot out from sheer embarrassment. "Don't you dare say that to me!" she shouted, face crimson. "You creep!"
"So you'll wash it?"
"Fine! I'll wash it, okay!? You happy now!?" she barked, shaking a fist. "You—ugh—just wait, you jerk!"
...
They exited the station and headed toward a nearby shopping mall. The summer sun hung low, painting the streets gold. Shoppers drifted in and out of stores, the air buzzing with chatter and music from outdoor speakers.
To Kouya's surprise, Gabriel didn't turn toward any lingerie boutiques this time. Instead, she walked straight into a trendy clothing store.
"Welcome!" The clerk greeted them brightly. "Looking for anything in particular?"
Gabriel hesitated, clutching the hem of her skirt. "We're... buying clothes."
Kouya raised an eyebrow. Why was she acting all shy now? This was the same girl who once marched into a lingerie shop without blinking.
"Do you have something specific in mind?" the clerk asked politely.
"Something... two people can wear together," Gabriel said quietly.
The clerk blinked. "Two people? Oh! Uh—our store doesn't sell adult-themed—"
"Not that kind of thing!" Gabriel cut her off, flailing her hands. Her face turned red fast enough to power a generator.
Kouya pinched his nose to keep from laughing. The image the poor clerk must've gotten...
"Then what sort of outfit?" the clerk asked carefully.
Gabriel pointed outside the store window, where a young couple walked past, holding hands and smiling.
Their clothes were identical—matching shirts, same color, even the printed design connected when they stood together.
"Like that," she said.
"Ah! Couple outfits!" The clerk's confusion melted into a friendly smile. "Got it! Right this way."
Kouya sighed under his breath. 'You dragged me here for that? You've gotta be kidding.'
They followed the clerk down a row of racks lined with matching tees, hoodies, and casual sets. The colors were coordinated—pastels, soft neutrals, and the occasional bold pair with cheesy slogans like His Angel and Her Demon.
Gabriel's eyes sparkled as she looked around. "Ooh... that one's cute."
Kouya folded his arms. "You're seriously into this?"
"Shut up! I have a reason, okay! It's not like I like matching with you or anything!"
She turned away, puffing her cheeks again.
She popped her little fist like a warning and said, "Or I'll beat you up!"
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