Chapter 198: Vigne’s Love Bubbles

  Vigne emerged from the kitchen carrying steaming dishes, her every movement neat and graceful, as if choreographed. The rich aroma of freshly cooked food drifted behind her, filling the living room with warmth. Her gaze immediately found Gabriel, still glued to the computer, posture lazy and fingers tapping idly on the keyboard.

  “Gabi-chan, turn off the computer and wash your hands before you eat!” she scolded, her voice calm but firm. Her tone was the kind that brooked no argument—gentle yet authoritative.

  Next, she turned toward Satania, who was clumsily rushing out of the kitchen with two plates stacked precariously in her hands. “Satania, slow down! You’ll spill everything if you keep running like that.”

  And finally, her sharp eyes landed on Kouya, who stood by the doorway pretending not to notice. “You too,” she said flatly. “Don’t just stand there. Go bring over the rice cooker.”

  Kouya froze mid-step, utterly defeated.

  Somehow, it always ended up like this. No matter how things started, Vigne inevitably took command, transforming the chaotic group into an oddly functioning household. It was both terrifying and impressive.

  Within minutes, the low table was transformed into a miniature feast. Steam rose from the dishes like soft white clouds, carrying the scent of soy sauce, garlic, and pepper. There was tofu stewed with pork ribs, simmered mackerel with ginger, stir-fried pork with green peppers, shredded spicy potatoes, steamed shrimp with garlic, braised eggplant, and a pot of freshly made miso soup. It looked like something straight out of a restaurant.

  “I’ve been watching a few cooking shows lately,” Vigne said, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear as she adjusted the plates. “So I tried a few new recipes today.” Then she gestured toward the small pot Raphael carried in from the kitchen. “Oh, and this fish soup is Raphael’s doing. She’s actually quite skilled.”

  Raphael giggled, her expression serene. “Well, I did take home economics seriously. I learned a lot from my classmates.”

  Satania placed her hands on her hips, smirking triumphantly. “Hmph! If I were the one cooking, it would taste way better than anything you could make, Vigne!”

  The entire room fell silent.

  Kouya’s eyebrow twitched. Even Gabriel turned her head slowly from the computer.

  'Please no,' Kouya thought. He still remembered that black sludge Satania once dared to call soup. The teacher from that class had nearly fainted trying to grade it.

  Vigne sighed. “Right. Anyway, let’s eat.”

  Everyone put their hands together. “Itadakimasu!”

  Chopsticks clicked, and the peaceful sound of eating filled the room. Satania’s tail swished behind her as she chewed happily. “Delicious!” she announced, mouth full.

  Raphael clasped her hands together reverently. “Vigne-chan’s cooking is perfection as always.”

  Vigne chuckled, her cheeks faintly pink. “Raphael’s fish soup is delicious too.”

  Gabriel, already on her third shrimp, muttered, “Way better than instant noodles.”

  Everyone ignored her lazy tone; coming from Gabriel, that was high praise.

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  The meal was filled with laughter and little bursts of chaos. Because there weren’t enough dishes for everyone, they used communal chopsticks. Satania tried repeatedly to grab a cube of tofu, only to crush it each time into a sorry mess. Her face puffed with frustration.

  “Here,” Vigne said kindly, taking the chopsticks and gently dropping a fresh piece into Satania’s bowl.

  “Me too,” Gabriel said immediately, holding out her bowl without shame.

  “Vigne-chan, I’d love some as well,” Raphael added sweetly.

  Vigne sighed. “Fine, fine… you’re all hopeless.”

  When she finally sat down again, she noticed Kouya staring expectantly, his bowl empty.

  Her expression softened for a second before she frowned. “What are you staring at? If you want food, serve yourself.”

  Kouya slumped in defeat. “So unfair…”

  Gabriel licked her fingers clean and smiled lazily. “Vigne should just cook for me every day. That’d be paradise.”

  Kouya nearly choked. 'What kind of logic is that? She’s not your maid!'

  Satania glanced at him curiously. “Hey, servant! What about you? Can you cook?”

  Kouya thought for a moment. “I’m decent with noodles.”

  Vigne froze mid-bite, eye twitching slightly.

  Satania tilted her head. “What kind? Udon? Soba?”

  “Both,” Kouya answered without hesitation.

  Vigne’s glare intensified.

  “Then you can make some for me later!” Satania said proudly. “I’ll give you my royal approval afterward!”

  Vigne slammed her chopsticks down, face flushed. “Satania, enough! Just eat your food before it gets cold!”

  “Eh? Why so angry?” Satania blinked.

  Kouya tried not to laugh. He could practically feel Vigne’s embarrassment radiating from across the table.

  After a while, the noise mellowed into a cozy after-lunch quiet. The plates were half-empty, everyone’s stomachs full, and laughter echoed faintly as they leaned back in satisfaction.

  “Ahhh, that was great!” Satania declared, rubbing her belly.

  Raphael dabbed her lips with a napkin. “Vigne-chan’s cooking gets better every time.”

  Gabriel yawned loudly. “So sleepy… I think I’ll take a nap.”

  “No, you won’t,” Vigne said immediately, glaring. “You just ate. Watching TV is fine, but sleeping right now is terrible for digestion.”

  “Vigne, come watch with us!” Satania said, patting the seat beside her.

  “I can’t relax until I’ve cleaned everything,” Vigne admitted, standing again. “You all just enjoy yourselves.”

  She gathered the dishes, tied up her apron, and disappeared into the kitchen. The sound of running water soon mixed with soft humming. When she returned, her sleeves were damp, a few strands of hair stuck to her cheek, and beads of sweat shimmered on her forehead.

  Seeing a half-open can of cola on the table, she grabbed it without a second thought and took a sip.

  Then—

  Soft pink bubbles began floating upward from her head.

  She froze. “E-Eh?! What… what’s happening?!”

  Everyone stared.

  Then, as if on cue, Satania burst into uncontrollable laughter. “Ahahaha! Vigne, your head—it’s… it’s blowing bubbles! P-pink heart bubbles!”

  Gabriel’s stoic expression cracked as she snorted. Even Raphael couldn’t resist.

  Raphael clapped her hands together, eyes sparkling. “How cute! Oh my, Vigne-chan, you look so sweet right now!”

  Even Kouya couldn’t stop his lips from twitching upward. The usually composed and refined Vigne surrounded by floating pink hearts was… unbelievably cute.

  Kouya raised a brow. “Wait a minute. That cola—it’s from the ‘Infernal Cola Company,’ isn’t it?”

  Vigne blinked down at the can still in her hand, her expression slowly darkening. “Satania…”

  The air temperature plummeted. The others could feel the chill.

  Satania froze mid-laugh. “W-Wait! I can explain!”

  Vigne stepped forward, each footfall calm but terrifying. “Explain what, exactly?” She shook the can slightly, the faint fizzing sound filling the room.

  “I-It was supposed to make Gabriel act cute!” Satania babbled. “I bought it from the Demon Realm Shopping Channel! But then you called us for lunch, and I forgot to hide it!”

  Kouya sighed. “Of course it’s that damned shopping channel again.”

  Gabriel raised a brow. “You’ve seriously got to stop buying things from there.”

  Vigne’s sigh turned into a groan. “Why does this always happen when you’re involved?”

  Gabriel, trying to suppress laughter, offered a suggestion. “Try holding your breath. Works for hiccups.”

  “That’s ridiculous,” Vigne muttered—but curiosity won out. She pinched her nose and puffed out her cheeks, turning bright red.

  The heart bubbles immediately doubled in number, floating faster and sparkling even more vibrantly.

  “Oh no,” Kouya said, laughing outright now. “That made it worse!”

  Raphael’s phone was out in seconds. “Vigne-chan, hold still! This is gold!”

  “Raphael! Don’t you dare!” Vigne cried, lunging forward.

  Her attempt to grab the phone only caused more bubbles to fly upward, drifting through the sunlight in shimmering pink clusters. The others collapsed in laughter.

  Vigne groaned in frustration, waving her hands uselessly as yet another heart popped right beside her ear.