"Yes, her name is Satania, and she's my classmate," Gabriel confirmed, her eyes fixed on Hozuki Nozomi with an almost fervent intensity. She stepped closer, intimately taking his hand in both of hers. "But that doesn't matter at all! What's important is, do you have any worries or troubles today? Please, you absolutely must tell me! I'll do my very best to fulfill any need you have!"
Ever since she'd discovered online games and begun her slow descent into "degeneracy," Gabriel had lost nearly all interest in helping others. Good deeds felt like a chore. Instead, she preferred to stay holed up in her room every day, gaming and snacking her way through life like a proper shut-in. This lifestyle, however, had consequences. Her halo had noticeably dimmed, her performance evaluations had plummeted, and her monthly allowance from heaven had begun to shrink accordingly. And that allowance? It went straight toward microtransactions and in-game purchases. She was living on a razor's edge, financially speaking.
Hozuki Nozomi's appearance, therefore, represented a lifeline. If she could help him, her performance would improve, and her allowance would increase. Simple as that. Looking at Gabriel's eager, almost desperate gaze, Hozuki Nozomi had initially intended to say he had no worries at all. But how could he possibly refuse her now?
He nodded vigorously, a thoughtful expression crossing his features. "Actually, I do have a bit of a concern."
Gabriel leaned in closer, hanging on his every word.
"It's like this," he continued, his tone taking on a slightly troubled air. "My girlfriend keeps complaining that my kissing technique is terrible. She says I need more practice. I was wondering... could I possibly ask you to help me practice my kissing skills?"
The moment the words left his mouth, Gabriel's enthusiastic expression froze solid. Beside her, Satania's eyes widened to the size of dinner plates.
No way!
Had she heard that correctly? This human had just asked Gabriel—an angel, no less—to practice kissing with him? What an absolutely demonic request! There was no way Gabriel would ever agree to something so scandalous!
"Okay," Gabriel said with a bright, agreeable smile, nodding without hesitation.
Satania rubbed her eyes vigorously, certain she must be dreaming. She pinched her own cheek, just to be sure. Nope. Wide awake. This was really happening.
A moment later, something unexpected occurred. Gabriel, with a shy, demure posture, sat to one side, her large, watery eyes fixed on Hozuki Nozomi. Meanwhile, the red-haired demon girl found herself seated on his lap, her delicate frame trembling like a leaf in a storm.
"That was very helpful," Hozuki Nozomi said, finally releasing the blushing, flustered demon miss's lips. "But... are you sure this is alright? Having Satania take your place to help me practice?"
"Of course it's fine!" Gabriel replied in an innocent, sing-song tone, flashing him a sweet smile. "Satania is my slave now, so feel free to order her around however you like. I approve of everything~."
Satania sat frozen in Hozuki Nozomi's arms, her small body quivering with a mixture of shock, humiliation, and something else she couldn't quite identify.
A devil? Gabriel, you're acting more like a devil than I, an actual demon, ever could!
My first kiss!
Wuwuwu.
It was being taken by a hateful human like this!
Satania's heart felt like it was bleeding profusely. Tears streamed uncontrollably down her flushed cheeks. This was undoubtedly the most humiliating moment in the entire history of Great Demon Satania's development! How had it come to this?
"Mmm... wuwuwu..."
Even as she wallowed in self-pity, that terrible, skilled human was kissing her again. Satania squeezed her eyes shut, her breathing growing rapid and shallow. The innocent demon miss felt as though an entirely new world was opening up before her—a world she had never known existed. Her head spun dizzily, and almost unconsciously, her small hands crept up to wrap around his neck.
Wait a minute!
He's so skilled, so practiced at this. Does he honestly need to practice at all?
Hateful Gabriel! You should be the one having your first kiss stolen by a human, not me! Why am I the one practicing kissing techniques with this human instead of you?
Satania wanted to resist, to push him away and flee. But the Demon World items she'd purchased were frighteningly effective. The slave effect, she realized with horror, lasted a full hour. She wanted to cry out, to protest, but her small mouth was thoroughly occupied, rendering speech impossible.
Time seemed to stretch into eternity. Satania felt as though centuries passed before that hateful man finally released her.
"Gabriel, thank you so much," Hozuki Nozomi said, his expression genuinely grateful. "I think I've finally graduated from my practice sessions." He turned to the dazed demon girl on his lap. "And thank you as well, Satania, for practicing with me. I'm completely satisfied with today's results!"
As soon as he spoke, Gabriel noticed the halo above her head visibly brighten. Success! Her performance metrics would definitely improve now! She beamed at him, her voice clear and sweet.
"I'm so glad I could help! If you ever need anything in the future, please don't hesitate to come to me anytime. I'll be sure to bring Satania along to assist you again."
"Sounds like a plan."
Hozuki Nozomi smiled, gently stroking Satania's disheveled hair, then reaching over to pat Gabriel's head as well. The angel didn't mind the gesture at all—she was too busy mentally calculating how much her allowance would increase. Hehehe, now she could afford microtransactions again! So happy!
Satania, meanwhile, had flopped onto a nearby bench like a salted fish, utterly devoid of life. Her vacant eyes stared at nothing, tear stains still visible on her cheeks.
"A dream... this must be a dream..." she mumbled weakly to herself. "Just a horrible nightmare I'm having..."
Gabriel glanced at her, scratching her own head thoughtfully. "Maybe that was a little too much?" She considered for a moment, then shrugged. "But, she kind of deserved it!"
After all, Satania was constantly buying junk items from the Demon World and trying to use them on her. If the demon wanted to play tricks, she had to be willing to pay the price when they backfired. Satisfied with this logic, Gabriel continued ordering her "slave" around with a clear conscience.
Hozuki Nozomi, meanwhile, touched his own lips thoughtfully as he walked toward another vending machine to purchase the drinks the Service Club girls had requested. How should he put it? That little demon's taste was surprisingly delightful. She was unexpectedly pure, genuinely innocent. Satania was quite cute, really—just a bit foolish.
Elsewhere, Gabriel dragged the still-traumatized Satania to the Cooking Research Club. Having spent all her allowance already, she had joined this club specifically so she could sample free food and fill her stomach—a practical solution to her financial woes. As for why she brought Satania along? To order her around, of course. That's what you did with slaves. Besides, the demon had tried to trick her first; when dealing with demons, one shouldn't be soft-hearted.
Still, Gabriel wasn't completely heartless. She understood that this foolish demon wasn't truly malicious at her core. In modern times, angels and demons didn't have the same bitter conflicts as in ages past; there was no need for life-or-death struggles. She had given Satania a profound lesson today, and hopefully, the demon would think twice before purchasing shady Demon World items to use against her in the future.
Not long after, club activities drew to a close.
Returning to Sakura Dormitory, Hozuki Nozomi finally sank into a moment of well-deserved leisure. Today, Yukino Yukinoshita had also come to the dormitory with the intention of staying overnight. The reason? She had once again been mildly traumatized by the figures of Yui Yuigahama and Sanshokuin Sumireko. Determined to become more mature herself, she had decided to spend the night—with Hozuki Nozomi's assistance, she had already begun seeing some results in that department.
Shiina Mahiru, having finished playing with the cats alongside Yukino, tugged the dark-haired beauty toward the kitchen. They busied themselves with preparations, and judging by the sounds and smells drifting from that direction, he was in for a wonderful dinner tonight.
Just as he was mentally anticipating the pleasant evening activities that might follow dinner, the mirror in his room suddenly flickered.
A petite figure in a gothic dress emerged from within, silver hair flowing behind her. Suigintou, the first doll of the Rozen Maidens, flew out—and as always, she was shedding feathers. Black feathers scattered everywhere, drifting down to settle on his floor like ominous snowflakes.
Hozuki Nozomi sighed. This required disciplinary action.
Before Suigintou could utter a single word of greeting or insult, he reached out, scooped her up, and lowered his head to kiss her firmly.
Suigintou froze, her eyes widening in shock and outrage.
This lecherous human male! He... he actually dared to kiss her again!
Humiliated and furious, the doll's feathers literally stood on end. With an indignant shriek, she commanded her feathered projectiles, and in an instant, Hozuki Nozomi was riddled with countless small punctures, stumbling backward as black feathers embedded themselves in his clothes and skin.
The price of affection, it seemed, was always paid in blood—or in this case, feathers.