"W‑What… kind of power is this…?"
Zelel forced herself to raise her head, her eyes full of disbelief.
Never had she felt such a terrifying pressure.
Not even in front of the Archangel had she experienced this suffocating despair.
She could tell he wasn't even serious.
That… was just a casual trace of his aura.
Gabriel's eyes widened, her small mouth forming an O.
She looked at her sister kneeling on the floor—
Then at the unruffled Rei Ao.
Incredible!
She knew Rei Ao was strong.
But this strong?
That was her sister Zelel—one of Heaven's very strongest battle‑angels!
Yet she couldn't stand even a wisp of Rei Ao's aura?
Because the killing intent wasn't aimed at her, Gabriel felt nothing at all.
"Can we talk properly now, Zelel-san?"
Rei Ao withdrew the majestic pressure.
Air began to circulate again.
He walked over to Gabriel, gently ruffled her golden hair, and the rainbow light in his eyes softened.
"Gabriel is happy with me. That's all that matters."
Zelel froze for a moment, then struggled to her feet, wings trembling as she folded them.
Shock, resentment, confusion—and a barely visible reverence—whirled in her eyes.
A proud warrior like her
had never imagined losing in such a way.
Even more astonishing was the level of power Rei Ao had just revealed—far beyond anything she understood as "strength," beyond even the sacred texts' descriptions of supreme beings.
"What… exactly do you want?"
Her voice had lost its earlier edge, now rough and husky.
Rei Ao smiled.
With a casual wave, a tea table inlaid with star patterns appeared in the room.
Two steaming cups of black tea sat on it.
"Very simple.
"Gabriel wants to stay here, and I want you to respect her choice."
He paused, those iridescent eyes fixed on Zelel.
"If you're worried about Heaven's rules… I can change them myself."
Zelel drew a sharp breath, almost dropping her teacup.
Change Heaven's rules?
Even the Archangel would never dare say such a thing!
Heaven's laws were supreme decrees set at Creation—never once shaken.
Yet looking at Rei Ao's calm face, she couldn't muster the slightest doubt.
What he had shown just now was only the tip of the iceberg; perhaps he really could do it…
After a long silence,
Zelel finally took a deep breath.
A trace of weariness surfaced on her holy face.
Her body was tired—her heart even more so.
"…I understand."
She turned to Gabriel, expression complicated.
"Since this is your decision, Gab, I won't interfere any further."
Gabriel could hardly believe her ears; even her halo flickered with surprise.
"R‑Really, Sis?"
She had expected a cataclysmic argument—
had even braced herself to be dragged back to Heaven.
And yet everything was settled this easily?
Zelel nodded.
Her wings folded, the divine light around her slowly dimmed.
"But I hope you two will take good care of yourselves."
She gave Rei Ao a deep look, as if trying to read the secrets in this mysterious man's eyes,
then merely shook her head.
"Heaven… will keep watching this place."
A dazzling pillar of holy light descended, enveloping her.
In the final instant before she vanished she told Gabriel, "Remember to visit Heaven sometimes."
A rare gentleness colored her voice.
The light faded.
Zelel was gone,
leaving only a few drifting feathers that dissolved into motes of light.
Gabriel stood there dazed.
After a good while she suddenly flung herself at Rei Ao,
cheering like a child who just got her favorite toy.
"Rei Ao! You're amazing! Even my sister lost!"
Adoration sparkled in her eyes.
Right now, Rei Ao was grander in her heart than any god of Heaven.
Rei Ao caught her with a smile and placed a light kiss on her forehead.
"A trifling matter."
Turning toward the kitchen, he asked,
"Hungry? I'll make breakfast—today we're having special angel cake."
Gabriel's eyes lit up instantly.
"Really? I want double frosting!"
…
Another world—
On a mountain path, four lively high‑school girls were chatting and laughing their way toward the summit.
Sunlight filtered through the leaves, sprinkling mottled shadows over their journey and lending a poetic charm.
"Come on, Mio—just a bit more! The view up top will be fantastic!"
Yui Hirasawa waved energetically from the front.
Her pink jacket stood out in the sunlight like a happy butterfly.
A stuffed backpack bounced on her back, crammed with snacks and drinks.
Mio Akiyama wiped the sweat from her forehead and looked helplessly at her friend.
"Yui, we've been walking for two hours already…"
Her voice was soft and weak; her stamina was clearly near its limit.
Sweat plastered her long black hair to her cheeks, making her look even more pitiful.
"Mio's stamina is worse than Yui's~"
Ritsu Tainaka, only lightly sweating, caught up from behind,
teasingly poking Mio's cheek.
"You've gotta exercise more, y'know!"
Her trademark headband sat across her brow, her face bright with mischief.
Tsumugi Kotobuki smiled and handed over an elegant water bottle bearing her family crest.
"Let's rest a bit. I brought tea and pastries."
Her graceful manners formed a charming contrast to the wilderness, yet never felt out of place.
The four girls found a flat rock, savoring the mountain breeze and Mugi's exquisitely prepared treats.
Mio pulled out her phone, snapping photos of her friends' laughter:
Yui theatrically stuffed cake into her mouth, cream on her lips;
Ritsu struck a goofy face with her cap worn backward;
Mugi held a bone‑china teacup with perfect poise, as if attending high tea.
These ordinary moments were precious treasures to Mio.
"Ah! A squirrel!"
Yui suddenly pointed to a treetop not far away, jumping up in excitement.
The other three followed her finger—there was nothing.
"Yui… you mis‑saw it again, huh?"
Ritsu shook her head, smiling indulgently.
Yui scratched her head,
laughing sheepishly.
"Hehe… maybe I was seeing things~"
She stuck out her tongue—utterly adorable.
~~~
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