Chapter 237 - Pinching the Nose
"What should I do with this?"
Kouya lifted the coupon in his hand, the paper still slightly damp from the drizzle outside. It was the prize they'd won earlier—a "special couple's meal" voucher for a brand-new western restaurant near the supermarket, part of a marketing collaboration.
Vigne's cheeks flushed a deep pink as she glanced at it. "I'm not going. You can go alone if you want!" she said in a rush, her voice higher than usual.
Before Kouya could reply, she turned on her heel and almost ran off, her steps quick and uneven like she was escaping something dangerous. For someone usually so composed, the reaction was almost cute.
Kouya let out a helpless sigh. "Guess that's a no." He tucked the coupon into his pocket, picked up his grocery bags, and started the short walk home. There was no sense letting the fresh food spoil—plus, he still had one lazy angel next door depending on him for dinner.
He had just finished putting away the groceries when the doorbell rang. The sharp chime echoed through the quiet apartment.
Opening the door, Kouya found Gabriel standing there with a stormy expression, her golden hair a tangled mess. Her pink shirt was wrinkled beyond saving, her shorts looked like they hadn't seen an iron in years, and her bare legs gleamed faintly under the hallway light. The single cowlick sticking straight up from her head completed the picture.
"...What?" Kouya asked flatly.
"Aaaah! I'm so mad!" Gabriel shouted, stomping into the apartment without being invited.
"What now? Still sulking that I didn't come home last night?"
She puffed her cheeks, glaring at him. "No! My stupid teammates! All of them are idiots! Worse than Satania!"
Kouya blinked. "Ah. So it's another gaming disaster."
Gabriel yanked open the fridge, grabbed a can of soda, and chugged it in one go. She slammed the empty can on the counter with a huff. "Seriously! They call themselves junglers but spend the whole game collecting mushrooms in the jungle! Do they even know how to gank?!"
Kouya smirked. "Maybe they were just... developing."
"Developing my wings! They're the reason we lost! If the world ends tomorrow, it's their fault!"
"Pretty sure global collapse has nothing to do with MOBA rankings."
Gabriel spun around and pointed at him. "Less sarcasm, more queuing! Come on, let's play! I'm not ending today without a win!"
Kouya raised an eyebrow. "So you haven't won a single match?"
She froze mid-motion. "...That's not important!"
He sighed. "Right. Sure. Wash the vegetables first."
"Eh? Why me?"
"Because you're the one who wants to play."
She glared. "You've been getting really bossy lately, you know that?"
"Just wash them."
Muttering curses under her breath, Gabriel trudged to the sink, sleeves rolled up. "Fine! But you better not make me do the dishes!"
"You're doing those too."
"What?! That's not fair!"
"Executive decisions are mine," Kouya said, completely unfazed.
Gabriel let out an exaggerated groan, looking like a sulking child forced to clean her room. "You used to be nicer..." she muttered.
When she was finally done, she stormed back to the fridge, grabbed another drink, and returned clutching her laptop. "Alright! Let's go! I'm taking my first win of the day!"
"Just one game," Kouya said, sitting down beside her. "Then I cook."
The match began. They went bot lane together. Gabriel, as usual, rushed forward recklessly while Kouya calmly backed her up. Within minutes, their opponents were already collapsing under pressure. By level two, they'd scored two kills.
Everything was smooth—until Gabriel started hiccuping.
"Ugh! Not now!" she complained, pounding her chest lightly. "I drank too much soda!" She grabbed her cup of tea and gulped it, but the hiccups continued.
Kouya chuckled. "Try pinching your nose. It's supposed to help."
Just then, another teamfight began. Gabriel's eyes gleamed. "Really? Then do it! You're just jungling, right? Just click auto-attack or whatever!"
Kouya stared at her. "You want me to pinch your nose while you play?"
"Yes, hurry!" she barked.
Sighing, Kouya reached over and gently pinched her small, delicate nose between his fingers.
Her skin was smooth and warm, almost soft enough to distract him from the game entirely. He could feel the faint rhythm of her breath against his hand.
"Lower your hand! You're blocking my view!" she complained, still furiously hammering her keyboard.
Her warm exhale tickled his palm, making him fight the urge to pull away. She was completely focused on the screen, face flushed from adrenaline and embarrassment.
The fight ended with a victory announcement flashing across the screen. Gabriel leaned back in triumph—only then realizing the position they were still in. Her cheeks flared crimson.
"Let go already! Gross!" she shouted, swatting his hand away.
Kouya rolled his eyes. "You're welcome, by the way. Hiccups gone?"
She blinked, realizing they were. "...Shut up."
They finished the match easily after that, Gabriel shouting gleefully as the victory screen popped up. "Finally! First win of the day!"
Kouya stretched and stood. "Good. I'll cook now."
Gabriel hummed happily, spinning in the chair as he walked toward the kitchen. The angel's mood had completely turned around.
Kouya got to work. He took out the sea bass he'd bought earlier and followed a recipe on his phone, steaming it gently with ginger and soy. On another pan, he grilled chicken in a teriyaki glaze until it shone dark amber.
He beat eggs for tamagoyaki, adding bits of ham and seaweed before rolling them carefully into a thick, golden block. The sweet scent of cooked egg filled the kitchen. A pot of miso tofu soup simmered quietly beside him.
Cooking, he thought, had its own rhythm—soothing and purposeful. Watching raw ingredients transform under his hands was strangely rewarding. The only downside? Dishes.
Half an hour later, dinner was ready.
"Food's done," he called.
"Coming," Gabriel replied, dragging her slippers across the floor.
"Bring the rice cooker."
"Slave driver," she muttered, but did as told.
Soon the table was filled with color and aroma. Gabriel picked up a slice of tamagoyaki, bit into it, and her eyes widened. "Hey! This is really good! Do this again next time!"
Kouya smirked. "Depends on my mood."
"Cheapskate," she huffed, but kept eating.
They ate in companionable quiet, broken only by the clink of chopsticks. For all her complaining, Gabriel finished her meal first.
"Alright," Kouya said, leaning back. "Wash the dishes."
Gabriel groaned dramatically, flopping onto the couch. "Later. I'm too full to move."
He crossed his arms. "If I count to three and you're still there, I'm kissing you."
Her halo flickered in panic. "Y-you wouldn't dare!"
"One," he said calmly.
She jumped up instantly. "I'm going!" she yelled, face beet red.
Muttering furiously, she marched to the sink and began scrubbing. "Slave driver," she repeated under her breath. But even through her pouting, a faint smile tugged at her lips.
When she finished, she grabbed a few snack bags and a drink, retreating back to her room.
By the time Kouya sat down again, it was already dark. The quiet hum of the fridge filled the apartment. He was about to start another game when his phone buzzed.
The screen showed a familiar name.
Raphiel.
He hesitated, then answered. "Yeah?"
"Kouya-kun," came her cheerful voice, a teasing lilt hiding behind the words. "Something terrible just happened!"
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