Gabriel sized up the girl in front of her.
The black-haired high schooler had delicate features and fair skin, giving off a refined, ethereal vibe. Her figure was well-proportioned with smooth lines, radiating a youthful energy. She fit the 'pure and seductive' aesthetic perfectly.
'If I were looking for a girlfriend, I'd definitely choose one like her!'
"Hey, stop playing dumb with me. You can definitely see me, can't you?"
Gabriel was certain the girl could see her; otherwise, she wouldn't have frozen in place. Right now, she wasn't the forgotten god Mika, but the genuine Archangel Gabriel! When those two statuses stacked, the resulting angelic power was terrifying.
The feathers drifting from the sky were merely a side effect of releasing her inner power; the true effect was 'invisibility'! Yet, the girl before her was truly an anomaly, managing to immune the effects of angelic power to look straight at her.
"If I'm not mistaken, you're Yotsuya Miko, right?"
Gabriel had already guessed the girl's identity. Miko could see all sorts of spiritual entities in this world—not just evil spirits, but also the souls of the recently deceased, nekomata, guardian angels, and even gods.
In this world, professional psychics could only see vague, blurry outlines at best. Those slightly stronger couldn't see anything at all, yet she could see even the fine hairs on a spirit's skin. Thus, it wasn't particularly surprising that Miko could see an 'angel'.
After confirming Miko's identity, Gabriel temporarily dismissed her plan to commit a crime. Because, well—a free meal ticket had arrived! She wouldn't have to sleep on the streets anymore; she could have hot meals!
Compared to Gabriel, who was lost in beautiful fantasies, Miko felt the hair on her arms stand on end.
'She—she even knows my name?!'
'No, don't panic!'
'She might just be testing me. She isn't sure I can see her yet. There's still hope!'
On the surface, Miko remained calm. She tapped her head with a frustrated expression and intentionally muttered, "I almost forgot to buy pudding. We ran out at home a long time ago... Good thing I remembered."
As she spoke, she naturally turned around and began walking slowly toward a distant convenience store. Even if the 'angel' before her was adorable, Miko didn't dare be careless. That ominous black light on the halo felt even more bone-chilling than the aura of an evil spirit!
If the entity discovered she could see, it would surely tear off the cute blonde loli disguise and reveal the horrific thing hidden inside! This wasn't an angel; it was clearly a demon!
Miko tried to walk as fast as possible. She really wanted to bolt, but doing so would be too suspicious and risk exposure. No matter how scared she felt, she couldn't afford to act recklessly.
Behind her, Gabriel saw her meal ticket trying to ignore her and run, so she immediately sprang into action. Gabriel quickly retracted her wings and halo, deactivated her 'invisibility', and chased after her on her fair, slender legs.
"Miko! If you ignore me like this, you'll go to hell in the future!"
'Waaah, she's catching up!'
Miko glanced back. Seeing the wings and halo vanish only confirmed her suspicions.
'Like I'd believe you!'
"It's getting late. I have to get back quickly, or my family will worry."
Miko intentionally stated her excuse for Gabriel to hear and increased her pace to a light jog. But before she could take more than a few steps, her leg was hugged by something soft and warm.
"...Eh?!"
Forced to a stop, Miko felt that whatever was hugging her was a 'living thing'. The heart that had nearly jumped out of her chest slowed down slightly. When she looked down and saw the very 'angel' who had been chasing her, her eyes widened in disbelief.
She could actually... touch her?!
At that moment, passersby began to gather.
"What's happening over there? Did those two girls have a fight?"
"That blonde girl is so cute, like a porcelain doll. She looks like a foreigner."
"Look at her hugging the other girl's leg and refusing to let go. They must be very close. She clearly can't bear to let go of their precious bond."
The whispers of the crowd made Miko realize instantly that the blonde loli currently clinging to her was definitely not an evil spirit. Otherwise, the onlookers wouldn't be able to see her, and Miko herself wouldn't still be standing there safely.
'Could she... really be an angel?'
'Will I really go to hell?!'
Miko swallowed nervously and asked cautiously, "Um..."
"Please adopt me!"
"Eh...?"
"I'm very easy to look after. You just have to feed me. I'll warm your bed, and I can even help you drive away evil spirits. You definitely won't lose out by raising me!"
Gabriel looked up, working hard to organize her words to sell herself. As for her pride, that wasn't something she could eat. She hadn't forgotten her original purpose for coming to this world: to enjoy the convenience and development of modern society. She was sick of the steam era with no internet, no phones, no games, and a mountain of work.
Her primary mission now was to find a way into Miko's home.
Seeing Gabriel like this, the sacred image Miko had just built for angels instantly collapsed. A question naturally bubbled up in her mind: 'Is this person really an angel?'
"What's with that look? How rude! But since you're ignorant, I'll let you witness it—my strongest power!"
Seeing Miko doubt her angelic identity, Gabriel let go of her leg and stood up. She reached under her skirt and pulled out a golden horn.
"!"
Miko's mouth hung open in shock, her eyes fixed on the golden instrument.
'How did she pull something that big out from under her skirt?!'
The onlookers had no reaction; they apparently couldn't see the First Trumpet of the Apocalypse. Gabriel hefted the heavy horn, lifted her head proudly, and introduced it to Miko with confidence.
"As soon as I blow this trumpet, you will have the honor of witnessing the end of the world. An opportunity to see the apocalypse with your own eyes doesn't come often! Rejoice in your luck, Yotsuya Miko!"
"I don't want that kind of luck! Stop! I promise! I'll do my best to raise you until you're plump and healthy, so please stop!!!"
Miko lunged forward and hugged Gabriel tight, terrified the girl would blow the horn in a moment of madness. She didn't want the world to end because of her.
Sssss!
The clueless crowd nearby gasped, staring at Miko in shock. Everyone was stunned by her bold declaration.
'Are youngsters these days playing so fast and loose?'
'That high school girl actually claimed she'd be this blonde loli's sugar mommy. No, that's wrong. She's not just a stepmother; she's a mother who stepped up. Incredible.'