Chapter 159: Chapter 159
Behind the long line of booths, Eriri Spencer Sawamura smiled as she handed a game to a customer in front of her.
With a cute smile showing her small fangs, Eriri said, "Thank you for supporting our game. If you like it, please come again next time."
"Oh~"
Yawning lazily, Gabriel Tenma White reached up to scratch her slightly messy golden hair and waved. "If I have time, I'll come back."
She placed the game in her bag and looked toward Vignette, who was still standing in line, her face showing a hint of mischievous delight.
"Hehe, luckily I was smart enough to make Vignette and Satania go fight for the popular games while I came over here," Gabriel said with a grin. "Though this wasn't easy either. It makes sense, with a game illustrated by Airi Kashiwagi-sensei."
Drooling a little, Gabriel gazed at the cute girl on the promotional flyer in her hand and smiled. "So adorable."
She tossed the flyer aside and pulled out her handheld console.
"Phew... So many people here. It's unbelievable how humans can squeeze into such a small space." Leaning comfortably against a cool pillar, she added, "It's so hot... I'd love to blow the apocalypse trumpet and clean everything up."
"Hmm?"
Noticing some people approaching, Gabriel tilted her head. "Is that a newcomer from hell?"
"Look, that's our booth for the 'Blessing Software' circle!" Aki Tomoya said excitedly, pointing at the long line.
He turned back to Hiroshi and Ruri Gokou, his excitement obvious. Eriri, who had just handed a game over with a polite smile, spotted Tomoya and her eyes instantly lit up with a fiery glint.
"Tomoya!!!"
Eriri plowed through the crowd like an angry cat, her small fang glinting under the lights of the venue.
Thud!
"Oof..."
Clutching his stomach, Tomoya looked at Eriri, who had her arms crossed and was visibly displeased. He laughed awkwardly. "Eriri, I brought some guests."
"Hmph!"
Tossing her hair, Eriri pointed at the long queue. "Tomoya! Just look at how busy we are, and here you are, running off instead of helping at the booth!"
"Do you know I haven't even had a sip of water all this time? I'm dying of thirst here!"
"I'm sorry." Tomoya bowed his head meekly, quickly rummaging through his backpack for a cold drink and handing it to Eriri. "This is for you. Please forgive me. I only wanted more people to experience the game we worked so hard to make!"
"Well..." Eriri pouted slightly, twisting a strand of her blonde hair between her fingers. "Alright, but you have to accompany me to the fireworks festival tomorrow. No sneaking off, got it, Eriri Spencer Sawamura?"
Warm breath tickled Eriri's ear, causing her to shiver. Blushing, she turned and found Kasumigaoka Utaha leaning close.
"You! Stop whispering in my ear!" Eriri shouted, pushing Utaha away.
"Oh my~" Utaha covered her mouth in mock surprise, her lips curling into a smirk. "I didn't know Eriri was this sensitive, just like the heroines in her doujin manga. Easy to tease, aren't you?"
Blushing furiously, Eriri clenched her fists as she glared at Utaha. Just as she was about to charge forward, Megumi Kato stepped in calmly.
"Ladies, please settle down." Standing beside Hiroshi and Ruri with her apron on, Megumi gave a slight bow. "Welcome, dear guests. If you wish to buy a game, please line up over here."
Megumi then turned to look at Utaha and Eriri, pointing at the booth with a calm expression. "If you two don't get back to the booth, the customers will be upset."
Trying to suppress her anger, Eriri took the drink and stomped back to the booth. "Utaha, I'll remember this, and I'll make sure to get even with you."
Ignoring Eriri's defeated declaration, Utaha bit her thumb, her gaze fixed on Megumi, who was helping Tomoya wipe away his sweat without a care in the world. "This one is the real threat," Utaha muttered.
"Utaha! Hurry up and help! I can't handle this alone!" Eriri called out from the booth.
"Tch." Clicking her tongue in annoyance, Utaha looked at the struggling Eriri and muttered, "This is exactly why I can't see you as an equal rival."
"UTAHAAA!!!"
"Coming, coming!"
Utaha sighed as she looked back at Tomoya, who was laughing alongside Megumi. She turned and headed for the booth.
"Oh~"
"This looks interesting."
"Hmm?!"
Hiroshi looked down at the short, blonde-haired girl in a red tracksuit who was standing by his feet. "Are you here to buy a game?" he asked curiously.
"Nope." Gabriel lifted the bag in her hand, her eyes narrowing as she looked up at Hiroshi. "Could you crouch down? My neck is starting to hurt."
"Alright."
As Hiroshi crouched down, Ruri, who had moved behind Gabriel, suddenly embraced her.
"Ruri, why have you been hugging things so much lately, especially small, cute girls?" Hiroshi said, puzzled.
With a soft laugh, Ruri stroked Gabriel's messy hair. "Because they're adorable. Especially Qiqi. I love hugging her."
Gabriel stomped on Hiroshi's shoe, glaring at him. "Don't call me small. I'm still growing!"
"Uh... okay."
Examining Gabriel more closely, Hiroshi smiled and said, "My name is Hiroshi. How can I help you, angel?"
Gabriel, still focused on her console, glanced up at Hiroshi, squinting her eyes.
"Oh, you're not an ordinary human, are you? No wonder you're hanging out with someone from hell."
"Hell?"
Gabriel looked up and tugged on Ruri's sleeve. "Yeah, the guy you're holding hands with."
"Huh?" Ruri blinked, staring at Gabriel in surprise. "How do you know one of the origins of me, the Fallen Saint Black Cat? Who are you?!"
"Hmph!" Gabriel proudly raised her head, showing off her handheld console. "I am Gabriel Tenma White, top graduate of Heaven's Angel Academy. And I've never seen you on the roster of exchange students between Heaven and Hell. So, you must be here on your own, right?"
She eyed Ruri's clothes. "You look like you have some money. So, if you want me to keep quiet... buy me some of the games I want!"