Chapter 16: The Ever-Positive Angel Is in Charge of the Magical Girl's Mental Care

A Pleasant Mealtime

After finishing our bath, I dried the angel's hair.

Thankfully, all she did while I was drying her hair was wearing a relaxed expression—at least she didn’t make any weird noises.

"Why is your head so sensual—no, I mean, sensitive?"

"Um… Maybe it's because of this halo?"

The angel said that as she gently touched the glowing ring floating above her head.

"Because of that ring?"

"I'm not really sure either. I’ve never had anyone touch me like this before."

"Well, I suppose it is hard to imagine an angel getting their head patted or something."

Then… does that mean I’m the first?

That thought gave me a strange sense of satisfaction.

‘I’m her first…’

It made me want to show her more things.

To feed her delicious food, to show her all sorts of fascinating things.

I turned my head and glanced out the window.

I had already gone out once due to the alarm, so it was a bit late, but not so late that going out again would be impossible—just that awkward in-between time.

But because of that, it was actually a nice time to quietly stroll around.

"Hey, want to go eat something tasty?"

"Some thing tasty? Like what?"

"Anything you want to eat. You know, like pork, beef… Oh, wait, since you’re an angel, maybe lamb?"

When I mentioned lamb, the angel tilted her head in confusion.

She gave me a look like, ‘Why bring up lamb all of a sudden?’ so I scratched my head awkwardly.

"You know, like in the Bible or whatever. I don’t really remember the details, but there was something about offering up a lamb as a sacrifice. So that’s why I brought up lamb. Is that not it?"

"Ah… That was offered to God, not to us, you know?"

I guess that's fair.

Still… God didn’t even share a single bite of His sacrifice?

Kind of stingy, huh?

As that thought crossed my mind, I shivered and rubbed my arms, worried I might be struck by divine punishment.

"Well then, since we’re on the topic, how about lamb skewers? There’s a place nearby that does really delicious ones."

"Sounds great!"

Well, whatever.

If that so-called god never shows up when you need him, but pops up the moment someone trash talks, then he’s definitely stingy.

"Let’s go. It’s not far, just a short walk."

"Oh, wait! Please hold on a sec!"

The angel dashed into the room and came back looking just like she had during the bath—no angel ring, no wings.

"What about your ring and wings?"

"Well, if we’re going out to eat just the two of us, I figured it’d be awkward if people stared. So I left them behind!"

"Because you’d stand out?"

"Yup!"

Even without her angel ring and wings, she still stands out though.

The comment came right up to the tip of my tongue, but I just smiled and let it go.

She’d figure it out eventually, no need for me to say anything.

After we finished getting ready, the angel and I left the house and headed to the lamb skewer place.

And on the way there, we passed by the convenience store I always go to.

I thought about stopping in for some cigarettes, but then glanced at the angel walking beside me and gave up on the idea.

"Weren’t you about to go into the convenience store?"

"Nah, let’s just keep going."

Just as I was about to walk past, I made eye contact with the part-timer working there.

We’d seen each other for years, so I gave a casual nod as I passed. But then—

Ding-dong—

The part-timer pushed open the door and came running out.

"Long time no see! I was getting worried since you haven’t come by in days. Everything okay?"

"Ah… Yeah, nothing major. Just been a little busy lately."

"That’s a relief. Oh, and the girl next to you is…?"

Even if I said she’s an angel, he wouldn’t believe it.

So there was only one reasonable excuse.

"She’s my cousin from overseas. I’ve been looking after her for a while."

"Hello!"

"Ahh, I see. Hi there~ What’s your name?"

Her name.

That one word made me swallow hard.

Surely she’s not going to say she’s an angel, right?

Or maybe… I’ll actually get to hear her real name?

Thinking that, I looked over at her, and she responded with a bright smile:

"Angela!"

"Angela, huh? That’s a beautiful name, just like an angel."

"Hehe, thank you!"

She told him so easily.

It made me feel a little disappointed. But I just let it go.

It was my own fault for not asking in the first place.

If I’d just asked her outright like I should have, I wouldn’t be here sulking about it now.

Anyway, I’d heard her name. That was enough.

While I was lost in those thoughts, the part-timer nodded and smiled.

"Angela, huh? Wait here for a moment, okay?"

He went back inside the store, and a moment later returned holding a candy and a pack of cigarettes.

It was the same brand I always smoked.

"Here you go, this one's a gift for Angela. And this one... is for our regular customer."

"Wow! Thank you so much!"

"You really didn’t have to…"

"You’ve been coming here steadily for over six years. This much service is the least I can do. Haha."

I reached for the cigarette pack with a smile at his easygoing tone, but then stopped and shook my head.

"I really appreciate it, but I’ve decided to quit smoking."

"Ah… I-I see. Haha, I must’ve been overstepping again."

"No, it's okay. It happens. Still, I’ll just accept the gesture."

As I said that, the part-timer laughed and tucked the cigarette pack back into his pocket.

"I hope you succeed in quitting."

"Thanks for the support."

"Haha, yeah. Oh, a customer is coming. I’ll head back in!"

Just as quickly as he’d appeared, the part-timer disappeared like a passing breeze.

It was a little chaotic, but it felt nice to be looked after like that as a long-time regular.

"Shall we go, Angela?…Angela?"

I called her twice, and only then did the angel—who’d been staring intently at the candy—blink and turn toward me.

"Huh? Me?"

"Yeah, isn’t your name Angela?"

"Oh, no. I just said the most natural-sounding name I could think of since I couldn’t just go around saying I’m an angel. Angel, Angela… it’s an easy tweak, right?"

"So, what’s your real name?"

"It’s angel. Just angel."

She probably didn’t mean "Angel" as a name literally, right?

I mean, come on—naming an angel Angel is a bit too on the nose.

"Wait… do you not have a name?"

"Right. I’ve never needed one until now."

"Huh… I guess that makes sense."

As I nodded thoughtfully, she came up and took my hand.

"But hey, you’ve been a regular for over six years? Don’t tell me you were smoking even when you were underage?"

The way she said it wasn’t scolding, more like concerned. That gentle tone made me smile and squeeze her hand back.

"No, back then I was just coming to buy dinner. I didn’t know how to cook, so instead of buying ingredients I wouldn’t know how to use, it was cheaper to just get something from the convenience store. Later, when I got older, I started coming for the cigarettes."

"Then what about food…?"

"I’d order in. I’ve never been good at cooking. Either that, or my food just sucks. After burning an egg once, I pretty much gave up on the whole idea."

I chuckled and shrugged.

"Anyway, enough of that. Let’s go get dinner. I’m starving."

"You can’t die of hunger! Let’s go quick!"

And so, we arrived at the lamb skewer place.

The angel sat down with an excited face, swinging her legs back and forth under the table.

I couldn't help but laugh at how cute she looked.

"Is there anything you want to eat?"

"Anything’s fine!"

“Then let’s go with some lamb skewers and lamb chops. Other than that… they’ve got stir-fried tomato and egg. Wanna try that too?”

“Yes!”

Her eyes sparkled as she nodded, and before I realized it, I ended up ordering everything.

‘Did I overdo it?’

No, it’s fine. If there’s any leftover, we can just take it home.

The dishes came out quickly.

“I’ll grill it all, so just focus on eating.”

“Is that okay? I can help too!”

“It’s alright. The fire’s dangerous, and the oil might splatter. Just sit tight, I’ll take care of everything.”

“At least let me help, since you’re treating me to such tasty food…”

“There’s not much to do, really. It’s just putting skewers on the machine. Don’t worry about it, just eat.”

It was only after that bit of persuading that she nodded.

Honestly, being too kind can be a problem. But that’s probably why she’s an angel.

Smiling, I grilled some lamb skewers and handed them to her.

“Here, these are done. You can eat them now.”

“Okay!”

I was about to pick one for myself when a piece of meat was suddenly pushed into my mouth.

“Here, say ah~!”

“I told you to eat first… but thanks. I’ll enjoy it.”

“Is it good?”

“Maybe it’s because you fed me, but it tastes even better.”

“Ehehe. Then I’ll have a bite too…”

Watching her nibble the skewer with her small mouth was ridiculously cute. It felt like I was watching a big hamster.

‘So this is what they mean when they say just watching someone eat made them full.’

“Mmm~!”

“Is it good?”

“Ung!”

“Be careful, it’s hot.”

The angel nodded at my words, then swallowed her bite and gave a big grin.

“Eheheh, this is really delicious!”

“Told you, this place is great. But don’t get too excited and eat too fast. You’ll get hurt.”

“Hehe, I’ll be fine! This much is—ouch! Hot!”

“I told you to be careful.”

She got so into the flavor of the skewers that she grabbed one in each hand and accidentally burned her mouth, but thankfully, there was no serious burn.

The lamb skewers, which I hadn't eaten in a long time, were delicious.

Maybe it was because I wasn’t eating alone, but with someone beside me.

That second evening passed quietly, with just the two of us.

***

Late into the night.

After Yoo Seo-ah had fallen asleep, I used my powers to quietly slip out of her arms and step outside.

“…”

From my pocket, I took out the candy the convenience store clerk had given me.

At a glance, it looked like an ordinary piece of candy.

Crack.

I crushed it in my hand—and from it, black smoke-like wisps began to seep out.

Flash—

My halo gave off a single sharp glow, and the black smoke that leaked out of the candy vanished instantly.

“…So it’s true what they say, ‘it’s darkest under the lamp.’”

Looks like there’s something I have to take care of before I leave.

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