Chapter 5: You'll Go to Jail for That
Gabriel cheerfully took the bag of cookies, her bright eyes curving into crescents as she smiled. The soft rustle of the bag matched her cheerful tone as she said, "Thank you, Kouya-kun!"
She blinked up at him innocently. "Kouya-kun, are you here to buy ingredients too?"
"That's right," he replied with a short nod.
"Then let's go together! I need to pick up some things as well," she said, already taking a few steps toward the food section before he could say anything.
Kouya frowned. "Wait, who said I wanted to—"
But it was too late. Gabriel had already skipped away, her golden hair bouncing under the fluorescent lights. The air around her almost seemed to glow faintly, carrying that holy shimmer that made her stand out wherever she went.
Fine. Together then. What's the worst that could happen? It's not like I'm afraid of you, you stupid angel.
He sighed through his nose, following at a slow pace, pretending not to care.
Gabriel's shopping basket—or lack thereof—was soon filled with ingredients she'd gathered by hand: carrots, potatoes, celery, and a packet of curry roux. She seemed to be planning to make curry, humming quietly as she walked from shelf to shelf. She carried her school bag in one hand and the groceries in the other. Her small body looked almost comically strained under the load, though Kouya knew she was perfectly fine. Angels didn't tire easily.
Hmph, serves you right for refusing to use a basket. That'll teach you, you self-righteous little halo-head.
Kouya folded his arms and stood there, silently watching. He had no intention of helping.
Unfortunately, a nearby shopper—a middle-aged woman—seemed to misinterpret the scene. She turned sharply toward Kouya, eyes narrowing in disapproval.
"Young man, you're too dense!" she snapped.
"Huh?" Kouya blinked, taken aback.
"Can't you see that poor girl struggling? You should offer to help! That's what a decent boy does!" the woman lectured, one hand planted firmly on her hip.
Lady, are you blind? She's fine! She's an angel! If she can't handle a few vegetables, she should hand in her wings and find another job!
But the well-meaning auntie wasn't done. Her voice took on a knowing, almost conspiratorial tone.
"When a girl agrees to shop with you, that means she likes you, at least a little!"
Kouya's eyebrow twitched. "What—No! You've got it all wrong!"
The woman waved off his protest with a wise smile. "You don't need to explain. I get it. You probably waited outside the store pretending to run into her, didn't you? Ah, young love."
Kouya nearly dropped his basket. Excuse me?! I'm being accused of stalking now?!
The woman sighed fondly, her expression softening. "Don't be embarrassed! My husband did the same thing back in the day."
Her face suddenly turned serious, her eyes narrowing. "But listen here, young man—liking a girl isn't wrong. What's wrong is doing something stupid because of it. You cross that line, and you'll end up in jail!"
For the love of—could you not yell that part?! People are staring now! He could already feel the awkward glances from every direction.
...
Kouya clenched his jaw and turned toward Gabriel. "Hey, idiot. Put your stuff in my basket."
"Eh?" Gabriel looked surprised. "Thanks, Kouya-kun, but I can carry them myself."
Of course you can! But that auntie over there is staring at me like I'm a national disappointment! Her eyes feel like knives!
Gabriel tilted her head, explaining softly, "It's just that... I passed by the park earlier and saw a lot of trash left behind. I spent a while picking up bottles and wrappers. By the time I got here, all the baskets were gone."
Kouya sighed. "Just put it in already. You can treat me to dinner later."
"O-oh, okay..." she said with a nervous giggle, gently placing her groceries in his basket. "Kouya-kun, are you sure you can carry it?"
What kind of question is that?! I could lift an entire mountain! These few vegetables are nothing! Don't give me that worried tone!
And that auntie—stop looking at me like that! I didn't suddenly become 'enlightened' because of your speech. I just wanted your judgmental eyes off me!
Flustered, Kouya grabbed the remaining items and marched toward the checkout with Gabriel following close behind.
The supermarket was busy—fluorescent lights reflecting off shiny linoleum floors, the faint melody of background music playing overhead, and the rhythmic beeping of scanners filling the air. Families, couples, and elderly shoppers crowded the aisles, their chatter blending into a pleasant hum of life.
They queued up behind a small line of customers, waiting patiently as the line inched forward. The smell of freshly baked bread from the bakery corner wafted through the air, mixing with the faint aroma of produce and detergent.
Finally, it was their turn.
The cashier, a cheerful young woman with her hair tied in a neat bun, greeted them with a smile and began scanning the items. The rhythmic beep, beep, beep filled the air.
Kouya suddenly raised a hand. "Wait! We're not together!"
The cashier blinked. "Eh? But you're both wearing the same uniform and shopping together, so I thought—"
Don't finish that sentence! I know exactly what you're implying, and it's wrong! I have zero interest in this blonde airhead!
The cashier chuckled, clearly amused, but started separating their items. "Actually," she said with a grin, "our store is having a promotion. If your total is over 5,000 yen, you can enter our lucky draw! The grand prize is a brand-new microwave oven. If you two pay together, you can participate!"
Ah yes, that text message earlier was from this very supermarket. But really, a microwave? That's hardly what I'd call a 'grand prize.'
The customers behind them began to cough impatiently.
And then—
Poke. Poke. Poke.
Kouya stiffened. That familiar sensation again.
He turned his head sharply. "Why are you poking me again?!"
Gabriel lowered her voice shyly. "Um... we've already taken too long. If we pay separately, everyone behind us will be stuck waiting." She pressed her hands together and gazed up at him, her blue eyes glimmering with pure innocence. "So please, Kouya-kun, let's just pay together?"
Before Kouya could argue, the cashier grinned. "She's right, you know."
Without giving him a chance to refuse, she scanned everything under one total.
Poke. Poke. Poke.
Kouya twitched. "You've got to be kidding me! Again?!"
Gabriel held up her hands like an offering—one holding a small pink wallet, the other full of coins. "Kouya-kun, please pay for both of us."
The cashier laughed softly, accepting the money. "You can draw your lottery ticket over there, sir."
Resigned, Kouya trudged toward the small box and reached inside, grabbing a slip of paper.
The cashier unfolded it and gasped. "Congratulations, sir! You've won!"
Kouya blinked. "Huh? That can't be right. My luck is terrible."
"It's a consolation prize," the cashier clarified, still smiling brightly. "You can pick one of these plush toys!"
Kouya turned and saw a large box beside the counter filled with tiny plush dolls—angels, animals, and cartoon creatures piled together. They looked soft, fluffy, and utterly pointless.
So that's the 'prize,' huh? Everyone wins something. What a scam.
He sighed deeply. None of these cheap, palm-sized toys appealed to him at all.
And then—
Poke. Poke. Poke.
There it was again. The same rhythm, the same insistence.
Gabriel's eyes shone with excitement. She pointed eagerly toward a small white plush angel holding a star-tipped wand. "Kouya-kun, that one! Pick that one!"
Kouya followed her gaze and smirked. Of course. The angel wanted an angel.
He reached out slowly toward the plush toy... then at the last second swerved, snatching up a small black demon plush instead. It had bat wings and a tiny trident, grinning mischievously.
Gabriel gasped. "Uuuh~~" she whimpered softly, her shoulders drooping in disappointment.
Kouya examined the plush demon and chuckled under his breath. "This suits you better," he muttered. "For someone who keeps ruining my peace and poking me nonstop, you're more devil than angel anyway."
Gabriel puffed her cheeks, her golden hair trembling as she glared at him—though her pout only made her look more adorable.
Kouya turned away, hiding a small smile as he walked toward the exit.