Chapter 35: Holy Light Vigne
Kouya opened the menu slowly, scanning the glossy pages while casually asking:
"What do you want to eat?"
Vigne sat across from him, separated by the polished wooden table. Under the waitress's gentle smile — the kind that seemed to say, "Ah, young love is nice" — she looked awkwardly stiff, her back perfectly straight like a student waiting for the teacher to call her name.
"Anything's fine... you can order whatever you like," she murmured, trying to sound calm but failing miserably.
Her fingers fidgeted with the edge of her napkin. The usual calm, dignified aura she carried was gone; all that remained was a nervous girl unsure where to rest her hands.
Kouya studied her for a moment, expression unreadable, before jotting down a few dishes on the order slip.
When the waitress left, Vigne finally exhaled softly, her shoulders loosening just a bit. Even then, her posture stayed formal and cautious, like someone afraid of breaking an unspoken rule.
The couple's booth wasn't large — a small, warm cocoon against the café's lively noise. A round wooden table sat between two soft sofas, its surface protected by thick glass. The white tablecloth with soft blue clouds gave the place a dreamy touch. Everything smelled faintly of roasted coffee beans and fresh pastries.
The lighting was dim, golden, and gentle. If one wanted more atmosphere, they could even turn off the wall lamp above and light the small candle waiting on the table, its flame dancing like a heartbeat between them.
Outside, laughter and chatter flowed like a distant stream. Inside, silence ruled.
Eventually, Kouya sighed and broke the quiet. "Why are you glaring at me like that?"
Vigne bit her lower lip and softly huffed, her eyes flashing with mild frustration. "Why didn't you... explain earlier?"
"I did explain," Kouya said, tone calm as ever. "She just didn't believe me."
"..."
Vigne opened her mouth but no words came. Her expression shifted from annoyance to embarrassment.
It was already past eight. Two students, both in the same uniform, dining in a cozy café booth... of course people would get the wrong idea. Who wouldn't think they were a couple?
Still, to be misunderstood like that when they barely knew each other — it was mortifying.
Thankfully, there were no familiar faces around. Otherwise, Vigne felt she might've just vanished beneath the table in shame.
...
A few minutes later, soft footsteps approached, followed by the rich aroma of freshly cooked food. The waitress returned, smiling, and set down one steaming dish after another. Butter sizzled, sauces shimmered, and for a moment even Vigne's nerves seemed to fade beneath the smell.
Unlike many restaurants that cut corners or skimp on portions, this café clearly took pride in presentation — generous servings, neatly plated, with colors so vivid they seemed to glow.
"These dishes... must be expensive, right?" Vigne asked with wide, uncertain eyes.
"Not really," Kouya replied, closing the menu.
"Eh?" She blinked. There was steak, lobster, salad, soup... definitely not cheap.
She hesitated, glancing at her wallet, then whispered, "I... I don't have much money left. If I can't cover my half, I'll pay you back tomorrow, okay?"
"Sure."
Kouya didn't even blink. He could make millions of yen from a single commission — money had long stopped meaning much. But if she wanted to split the bill, he'd let her. It wasn't about the food tonight. He wanted to see just how pure and earnest this "little demon" really was.
Vigne fell silent, seemingly reassured. When the food arrived, she quietly picked up her utensils and began to eat. Her movements were gentle, restrained — one hand brushing her hair back, the other holding her fork delicately. Before eating, she even clasped her hands together and murmured, "Itadakimasu."
Kouya blinked. ...You adapt fast, huh?
"Itadakimasu" — similar to a Western Christian prayer — roughly meant "Your life continues mine." It was a small moment of gratitude toward both the food and the one who prepared it. But for most people now, it was just a polite habit, no real meaning left.
Yet from Vigne, he could feel genuine warmth and sincerity. A real thankfulness that didn't fit her supposed identity. Damn it — how could a demon radiate this much grace? (╯‵□′)╯︵┻━┻!
"Meow~~"
A soft cat's cry suddenly broke the silence.
Vigne's head turned instantly. Her eyes brightened as she spotted a chubby orange tabby sitting lazily near the wall, staring up with expectant eyes.
"Eh, meow~?" Vigne put her chopsticks down and reached over, scooping the cat into her arms.
The orange tabby — clearly the café's mascot — wore a tiny vest with the café's logo. It didn't seem afraid at all, melting comfortably into her arms as she scratched under its chin. Its tail flicked once, then settled, purring loudly.
"Meow~~"
The cat called again, even softer this time.
"Are you hungry? Want a snack?" Vigne's voice turned sweet as she picked a piece of corn salad, placed it neatly in a small dish, and pushed it toward the cat with the reverence of a servant offering tribute.
Kouya frowned. "That cat's already overweight."
"It's not!" Vigne puffed her cheeks, glaring at him. "It's just... fluffy!"
Fluffy, my ass!
If you shaved that cat, you'd see what 'the heavier the orange, the greater the weight' truly means! (╯‵□′)╯︵┻━┻!
The fat cat's purrs filled the booth, melting away what little awkwardness remained. Soon, the atmosphere had softened — casual, almost cozy.
Vigne started talking more, her tone light and cheerful. She fed the cat small bites as she chatted about school.
"Gabi-chan only showed up twice this week. She's been skipping class a lot lately — the teachers are starting to lose patience..."
Kouya smirked inwardly. That dumb angel's acting skills had leveled up ever since she got hooked on online games. Every time she asked for leave, she put on a tragic performance, like she was dying and headed overseas for treatment.
The teachers never checked too deeply. If the excuse sounded convincing, that was enough. Vigne probably just couldn't stand watching it anymore.
"You live near Gabi-chan, right? Why don't you walk to school together?"
Kouya scoffed, "You think she'd listen to me?"
"Well... true," Vigne admitted, smiling shyly.
They both chuckled softly. The tension that had shadowed the evening faded completely.
Then she changed the topic again — this time, to the class's self-proclaimed demon queen.
"Actually, Satania's a good girl, she just sometimes..."
"Suddenly becomes a complete idiot, right?"
Vigne frowned, voice gentle but firm. "That's mean."
"Not my words. That's what the rest of the class says," Kouya said dryly.
Vigne shook her head with a sigh. "Even so... she always looks lonely. She never has lunch with anyone, and I've never seen her walk to the restroom with other girls."
Of course she doesn't. With that level of idiocy, she'd probably exit the restroom, strike a pose, and loudly declare:
"Ahahaha! You, with the teddy bear panties! I, the great demon Satania, grant you the honor of becoming my servant!"
Vigne shot him another sharp glare before continuing to list the girls she thought needed help — one after another, endlessly.
Enough already!
You're supposed to be a demon! A demon! You must be a fallen angel in disguise, right? Heaven's missing a ray of light, and it's you!
"By the way," she added softly, still petting the cat, "you always sleep in class. That's not good. You'll fall behind at this rate."
Oh for— you're even nagging me now?! You're a demon, remember? Stop acting like someone's mom!
Kouya leaned back, staring at her, half amused, half exasperated. He waved dismissively. "I'll be fine."
Vigne puffed her cheeks, looking genuinely annoyed this time. Then she turned away, scooping the cat up again. The fat tabby meowed contentedly, curling up in her lap as she gently stroked its fur.