Chapter 141: The Angel Who Goes on a Date (6)

Episode 141: The Angel Who Goes on a Date (6)

Yumari, unlike her usual expressionless face, greeted them with a bright smile.

‘A fake smile.’

But Leffrey, who had observed Yumari’s expressions for a long time, could tell that it was a fake smile.

Just a mask. In fact, whenever Yumari smiled like this, she was often in a bad mood.

And Soya felt the same way.

Seeing Leffrey who was staring intently at Yumari, Soya said, unable to hide her irritation,

“It hasn’t been that long. We just saw each other last week.”

“Ahahaha, if we’ve been seeing each other every day and then don’t for a week, isn’t that considered a while?”

Mari still seemed cheerful. But Leffrey knew she was just acting.

‘Even her horns have grown a little. It means she’s agitated.’

What could be making her so agitated? Yumari, the ice queen who didn’t even flinch at student council president Yu Si-hyun’s bullying, or even at the contempt and discrimination from her own family.

But now she was agitated.

Leffrey, as a guardian angel, couldn’t help but ask,

“Is something wrong?”

“…No, there’s nothing wrong.”

Mari shook her head, then asked,

“Since we’ve run into each other like this, shall we go for coffee somewhere”

“We don’t have time.”

Soya grabbed Leffrey’s sleeve and walked out of the secret department store. And at that moment, cracks appeared on Mari’s mask.

Mari’s smile disappeared as if alcohol had evaporated, and her horns grew even larger, radiating a powerful aura.

And then came that cold, expressionless face.

“Leffrey, I need to talk to you.”

Yumari grabbed Leffrey’s hand as he was being dragged away. Soya, only then, realized what was happening.

“Ugh…”

As Leffrey was being pulled away by the half-dragon’s strength, Soya also grabbed his other hand, as if she wouldn’t lose.

“Y-You guys?”

Leffrey, who had become the rope in this tug-of-war, looked at the two girls in confusion.

“It’s really important. I need a little bit of your time.”

Yumari pleaded with a stiff expression, while…

“Leffrey, this is my reward. Don’t you remember? I said it was time for us, just the two of us!”

…Soya whined as she tugged on Leffrey.

Leffrey, who’s caught between them, was at a loss, but eventually, he subtly let go of Yumari’s hand.

“S-Sorry, Mari. I made a promise to Soya today.”

“…I understand. This isn’t something I can talk about in an open space like this, but given the situation, it can’t be helped.”

Yumari smiled again.

But her horns didn’t shrink.

“Then just call or text him later! Are you living in the Joseon Dynasty or something? Do you really have to meet in person to talk? Ah, I guess you can’t do that because you’re the daughter of the Seocheon Yu’s main family?”

(TL Note: Joseon Dynasty, if you don’t know, is a period in Korean history where they didn’t have phones… or the internet. Why am I explaining this again?)

Soya, unable to hide her joy at Leffrey pushing Yumari’s hand away, was barely able to suppress her smile and pretended to be angry.

“It’s urgent. Mari, I’m really sorry.”

For a moment, the corners of Mari’s eyes drooped, and her shoulders hunched.

She looked at Soya with a truly apologetic expression. Soya, seeing that, muttered ‘…Be careful next time,’ and stepped back.

Of course, only Leffrey knew that there was no sincerity in that apology.

“Would it be possible for us to have a soundproof barrier?”

“…Just what is this all about?”

Despite her grumbling, Soya created a small soundproof barrier with a few gestures.

“Leffrey, what happened with the Rainmaker?”

“…The Rainmaker? Ah, we had a bit of trouble, but it’s been resolved.”

It happened just a moment ago.

And it wasn’t a big deal.

He thought he had managed to resolve it pretty well.

What Leffrey was curious about was how Mari, who wasn’t even there, knew about the incident.

“It wasn’t just a simple trouble. You absolved him of his sins and even told him how to be saved.”

“…Huh, how did you…”

“Leffrey, you need to be aware that there are more than just one or two eyes watching you. You’re the only angel left on Earth.”

Mari bit her lip and covered her face with her hand.

Then she muttered,

“You’re so pure. As expected, I have to protect you.”

No one was paying attention to the girl’s mumbled words.

Fortunately for her, that is.

“…Yes, that’s right. I gave him a chance.”

“You shouldn’t have done that.”

“Why not?”

Yumari looked at Leffrey again. That innocent expression that seemed to know nothing of this world. In those green eyes, conviction and compassion could be felt, and from his nose and lips, sympathy for this world could be sensed.

‘I want to touch him. No, I want him. I want to make him mine.’

Yumari felt the dragon’s instinct stirring within her, she intuitively knew how different she was from Leffrey.

If she was a predator, then Leffrey wasn’t. He was someone who only knew how to give, but didn’t know how to take.

Yumari knew one person like that.

‘Look at this. Sleeping children are…’

A nostalgic voice came to mind.

Her fist clenched tightly, and Yumari’s hand turned white.

“Leffrey, you know this too, there are many sinners in this world.”

Including herself.

There are so many sinners in this world.

“There are those who have committed truly terrible sins, those who are still committing those sins, and even those who gleefully plan more evil.”

“I know. But…”

“And some of those sinners… have unimaginable wealth and power, they not only avoid legal judgment but even legally eliminate their victims.”

Yumari spoke calmly.

“They fear nothing except one thing. If they drive drunk and hit a family in broad daylight? They just cover up the facts by buying off the media. If there’s someone they don’t like? They just send superhuman thugs to deal with them.”

She spoke about sin calmly, without any change in her tone. Soya, who was quietly listening to this story from the side, was slowly hiding behind Leffrey’s shoulder, slightly sensing Yumari’s madness.

“If there’s someone trying to uphold justice? They just turn them into trash through corrupted law enforcers. And if there’s a person of the opposite sex they like, they threaten them to become their mistress and…”

“I know. I know!”

Tears welled up in Leffrey’s eyes.

Those tears made Yumari waver a little.

“I know how corrupt this world is too.”

Memories suddenly came to mind. Memories of the cold floor that seemed impossible to escape from. In that dark sofa, the only light was along the line. But what flowed along that line was…

A red, cruel light illuminates the world. Along with sadness that seemed impossible to sleep through forever.

“I know too. But…”

“I’m sorry. I forgot that Leffrey knew this fact.”

Yumari gently wiped away Leffrey’s tears. The horned girl continued speaking.

“They fear nothing. Except for the judgment that will come after death.”

“…Judgment?”

“Yes, the more they’ve sinned, the more they’re aware of the truth of this world. The fact that Heaven, that place mentioned in religion, actually exists. And that Heaven possesses unimaginable power, enough to restrict superhumans with a system called the status window.”

Yumari said.

“And then there’s the one who judges those unforgivable sinners. The Angel of Judgment. They’re very aware of this.”

The Angel of Judgment.

Leffrey knew that being.

“The sins they’ve committed are beyond imagination. Truly. How much do you think those sinners would fear Heaven’s judgment? And for an angel with the right to forgive them to have descended upon Earth?”

“…I see.”

Leffrey finally understood.

What Yumari was trying to say.

“They’re terrified of judgment, so they’ll try to be forgiven through me.”

“To be more precise, they’ll try to buy indulgences. Or even try to get them through threats and coercion. There are more ways to make sentient beings do your bidding, besides deals and threats…”

Mari’s ominous implication.

Leffrey gulped, then asked again.

“Then what should I do?”

“You have no choice but to be even more cautious from now on. Some will try to seduce you, others will try to threaten you…”

Yumari whispered in Leffrey’s ear,

“But I’ll protect you.”

“No, you won’t. I’m the one who will protect Leffrey. As his friend!”

Soya grabbed Leffrey’s hand and pulled him toward her.

Leffrey, being pulled along by the girl’s hand, muttered to Mari.

“…Thank you.”

“No, it’s nothing.”

The beautiful girl with long black hair, reminiscent of a transparent moon, bowed politely.

“Then I’ll see you next time, Leffrey, Soya.”

“Hmph.”

“Yes, see you next time.”

And so Yumari left.

Leffrey, watching her back as she left,

couldn’t help but fall into deep thought.

‘Humans are all just descendants of murderers’

He recalled a lecture from Saint Rebecca, the theology professor.

‘Humans are the ones who are closest to the demon king.’

And the sophistry of that despicable demon king.

‘Humans are such ugly creatures. The world would be a much more beautiful place without them.’

And then he remembered the words of the fallen Rainmaker, in a future that was now gone.

Why did they say those things?

Words that shouldn’t be understood.

But words that he could vaguely empathize with.

Leffrey’s hands began to tremble.

Even though he was awake, it felt as if he were in a nightmare.

An incredibly deep loneliness,

enveloped Leffrey’s shoulders.

And then he felt them. White fingertips, dancing beneath his lowered gaze.

Hesitant, awkward.

Slowly, gently, inch by inch,

Those white fingers of the girl approached him, not knowing what to do.

Eventually, her fingertips brushed against his, then she softly pressed her palm against his, culminating in a tight embrace.

When Leffrey looked up, he could see Soya’s cheeks turning red like a radish.

“Th-this is… because my friend is sad, so it’s just to comfort… so it’s not like I have any ulterior motive……”

“Thank you.”

He knew it was a tough world. A world where it might be a blessing to not even be born.

But Leffrey continued to live.

Because there were heroes he had to protect.

“Haa, it’s a dangerous life anyway, no, a heavenly life. The demon army is still out there, and as Mari said, this world is full of bad people.”

Leffrey said in an excited voice,

“Still, let’s have some fun today!”

“O-Okay.”

Soya, seeing Leffrey regaining his energy, subtly glanced at the notepad she had been hiding.

“Alright, then our next plan is… ”

“Plan?”

“Well, there isn’t really a plan. But if you just trust my genius intellect and follow me…”

Soya smiled bashfully.

Of course, her cheeks were still red.

Embarrassed, Her other fingers were fidgeting. Although on the outside she looked like a mature woman, her behaviour was still childish.

“Then everything will be fine, Leffrey. Just trust this girl… friend and follow me.”

“Huh?”

“Don’t nitpick! Come on, let’s go!”

Thus, after overcoming many obstacles, Leffrey and Soya were able to move on to their next date location.