"Explain what?"
Gabriel still thinks she can explain herself?
Zelel turns around and starts ticking items off, one by one.
"Explain your gaming addiction?
Explain why you borrow money from humans?
Explain why you skip class, cut class, show up late?
Explain why you never do any cleaning—?"
Her voice grows sharper with every point.
It is obvious Zelel can no longer tolerate Gabriel's "offenses."
"Or do you want to explain how you… how you and a human have… "
She can't get the most serious accusation out.
Yesterday's scene flashes through her mind again; the tips of her ears burn crimson—this pure‑hearted girl is terrified by even the thought of romance.
For a pure angel, those images clash violently with her moral bottom line.
Gabriel shrinks back, tugging in her neck.
"Uh… there are reasons for all of that…"
She scrapes the inside of her skull, trying to find a plausible excuse.
Nothing. Her mind is a perfect blank.
"Reasons?"
Zelel lets out a cold laugh.
"Fine. I'm all ears."
She drags over a chair and sits down, wings spreading slightly behind her, exerting silent pressure.
Gabriel opens her mouth, but no words come out.
What can she say?
That human‑world games are too much fun?
That school is unbearably boring?
That Rei Ao's arms and teasing feel so warm and comfortable?
In her sister's eyes those would be blatant evidence of corruption.
"Nothing to say?"
Zelel shakes her head in disappointment.
"I thought you were only briefly lost; I didn't expect you to have fallen this far."
She draws a deep breath and stands.
"Pack your things. You're coming back to Heaven with me for punishment—now."
Gabriel absolutely may not stay in the human world.
Not only has she fallen, she has even been "eaten clean" by a human; Zelel hardly knows what to say anymore.
Gabriel jerks her head up, a flash of fear in her eyes.
"Back to Heaven? No! I can't!"
Terror makes her voice quiver.
Going back means confession and punishment—no more fun games, and no more seeing… Rei Ao.
"Can't?"
Zelel narrows her eyes.
"That's an order, not a request."
Her halo flares, proclaiming her authority as a senior angel.
Gabriel bites her lower lip, fists clenching involuntarily.
She doesn't want to go back—Heaven's rules are too strict, life too dull.
Here, in the human world…
She can lazily grind through games, mess around with friends, and—most of all—nestle in Rei Ao's arms and feel that dizzying bliss.
Yet faced with Zelel's stern majesty, she dares not rebel outright.
Since childhood, her sister has always been the one she both looks up to and fears.
"Sister…"
She pleads softly, tears welling up.
"Give me one more chance…"
Zelel's expression softens for half a heartbeat but hardens again.
"Chances aren't for squandering.
As an angel you should understand the consequences of your actions."
Her verdict allows no argument.
Just then—
Knock, knock.
The door is tapped gently.
Rei Ao's voice comes from outside.
"Sorry to intrude, but I thought you might like some refreshments."
Before Zelel can answer, the door opens.
Rei Ao walks in with a tray holding black tea and pastries, apparently oblivious to the room's heavy atmosphere. He sets the tray on the table.
"Rei Ao…"
Gabriel casts him a pleading look, eyes glistening pitiably.
Zelel watches coldly.
"We are handling family affairs. Please leave."
Her voice is like a polar gale, enough to make most mortals flee.
But Rei Ao is no ordinary mortal, nor does he bow to others' authority. Unhurriedly he pours tea and offers Zelel a cup.
"No need to be so harsh.
Gabriel is happy here in the human world—surely that's a good thing?"
"Happy?"
Zelel does not take the cup.
"Indulging desire equals happiness?"
Her eyes are as sharp as knives, as though to cut Rei Ao apart. She disagrees one hundred percent.
"Is suppressing one's nature automatically good?"
Rei Ao counters, rainbow‑hued eyes locking on hers.
"Angel or demon, everyone has the right to pursue happiness."
He could handle such a naïve, pure angel with brute force—but teasing her is far more interesting.
"I…"
Zelel is momentarily speechless.
She glances at Gabriel; in her sister's eyes she sees a yearning for freedom unseen in Heaven—both unfamiliar and strangely familiar, reminding her of the rebellious thoughts she herself once had.
"But regardless—"
She steels herself, forcing her gaze away.
"Heaven's rules are absolute. Gabriel must return and accept punishment."
It is her duty—no compromise. A fallen angel must be disciplined.
"Oh?"
Rei Ao sets down the teacup, loosening a fraction of his aura.
The air in the room congeals; even the dust motes hang motionless.
Zelel's wings flare to their full span, every feather bathed in blinding holy light. A golden nimbus of divine power forms around her; her halo hovers overhead, radiating awe‑inspiring majesty.
Rei Ao merely stands there at ease, black hair tousled, rainbow eyes calm as a still lake, lips curved in the faintest smile.
Space between them begins to warp; fine black cracks spider through the air, as though reality itself cannot bear this level of confrontation.
"And what if I say no?"
Rei Ao's voice is soft, yet the room's temperature plummets; frost blossoms across the window glass.
Zelel's light‑forged sword reappears. She levels the blade at Rei Ao.
"If you insist on interference, don't blame me for showing no mercy!"
Her halo blazes—angelic power unleashed!
As one of Heaven's foremost battle angels, she once single‑handedly repelled a combined demon invasion and has absolute confidence against any lower‑realm being—at least, until meeting Rei Ao.
Rei Ao's mouth curves; rainbow light ripples in his eyes.
"Your courage is admirable."
He steps forward lightly—like inviting a partner onto the dance floor.
A single step—yet it feels like a mountain collapsing.
An indescribable pressure rolls out from him; the room's light bends, strange geometric patterns bloom on the furniture, a deep cosmic hum echoes in the air.
"Ugh—!"
Suddenly Zelel can't breathe, as though the world's weight crushes her shoulders.
Her light sword trembles violently; cracks web across the blade.
Crack!
It shatters into countless motes of light and dissipates.
Her wings droop lifelessly.
Knees buckle; she drops to one knee.
Panting hard, fine sweat beads her brow.