Chapter 13: Instincts and Unexpected Reactions

3: Irresistible Instincts

“What… what was that…?”

The air freezes.
The demon’s face twitches.

“Garam, what’s wrong with you?”

No, I didn’t mean to do that.

For some reason, seeing that demon stirred something primal inside me.
Every glance at her made me inexplicably angry—

“Wanna fight, huh?”

“Ugh…”

Before I can react, she grabs my collar.
I’m thrown to the floor.

A perfect mount position.

“Tch…!”

I struggle to break free, but she pins both my arms.
My wrists are trapped in one of her hands.
No matter how I thrash, my strength’s too weak—she doesn’t budge.

I can’t move.
I can’t escape.

This isn’t what I meant to do.
But I’m powerless.
Completely overwhelmed.

“Ugh…”

The demon tightens her grip.
My wrists ache under the pressure.
Tears well up in my eyes from the pain.

She raises her other hand.
High in the air.

“Take this!”

“Eep…”

Her hand speeds toward my face.

I brace for the pain, squeezing my eyes shut.
A tear escapes.

And then…

“Stop, stop!”

“Huh…?”

The pain doesn’t come.
Junseo pulls the demon back, separating us.

“Phew…”

Finally free.
I thought I was done for, but Junseo saved me.
Relief washes over me, and tears stream down my face.

“Hic…”

I’m not a kid, why am I crying over this?
So embarrassing.

Even wiping my eyes with my sleeve, the tears won’t stop.

We got kicked out of the café.

We head to another one nearby.

“Why’d you do that, out of nowhere?”

“Well… it’s just… that demon was radiating this dark aura…
It made me angry, or irritated, or something…”

“I’m the one who got slapped, so why’s she crying?
So pathetic.”

“You done talking…?”

“Enough, enough.
Garam, you were in the wrong here.”

The demon’s snarky tone makes me want to slam the table and stand, but Junseo stops me.
I swallow my anger and sit back down.

Sure, I was wrong, but why’s my friend not taking my side?
Not cool.

I glare at Junseo, and the demon pipes up again.

“Must be nice having a sensible boyfriend, huh?”

A word I can’t let slide.

“Boyfriend?
What the hll are you talking about?!”

In my panic, I let a curse slip, one I don’t usually use.
The demon just shrugs.

“Yeah, yeah, sure.”

“He’s just a friend!!”

“Garam, quiet down.”

Ugh.

I notice eyes turning toward us.
Afraid we’ll get kicked out again, I calm myself and shut up.

“We’re… just friends.
Don’t misunderstand.”

While I try to cool off, Junseo speaks up for me.

I could just say I was originally a guy, and that’d clear things up.
But Junseo, probably thinking it’s something I should say myself, skirts around it.

Not that I want to tell the truth either.
For some reason, I don’t want to tell this demon anything.

I don’t like her.

“There’s no such thing as just friends between a guy and a girl.
You’re either dating or nothing.”

“I said we’re not!”

“Yeah, yeah.
Dating a kid like you would get him arrested anyway.”

Every word from this demon comes with a jab.
Always mocking.

“Who’re you calling a kid?!
I’m an adult!”

“An adult who slaps a stranger out of nowhere?
Huh?”

“Well, that’s—”

“And then cries like a baby after losing?
Wow, so pathetic.
What would you have done without your boyfriend?”

“You—”

“Enough, enough!
Stop fighting!
You too, calm down!
Why do you keep picking fights?!”

Junseo sighs, stepping between us.
Move, I need to smack this demon’s head!

Ugh.

I push against Junseo with all my strength.
He doesn’t budge, like a rock.

He’s so strong!

I’m about to yell at him to move when—

“Huh?!”

Something enters my mouth.
A fresh scent spreads.
A sweet-tart taste tingles my tongue.

Cherry-flavored candy.

“Mmph… mm.”

Munch, munch.

“Hehe…”

After the candy, somehow, a parfait is sitting in front of me.

A tall glass with ice cream, fruit, cookies, and cream layered beautifully.
Three stick wafers crown the top.

I’m in an amazing mood right now.

Just looking at it, the sweet aroma wafts over.
I don’t know who ordered it, but great choice.
Hehe, thanks, Junseo.

Time to dig in.

My small hands grip the glass.
I scoop a bit from the top.

Popping the spoon in my mouth, the fruit and cream melt on my tongue.
A sweet-tart symphony unfolds.

“Ehehe…”

The sweetness hits my brain.
I’m losing it.
Or maybe I already have.

A shiver runs through me, my wings fluttering.
My legs bounce up and down without me noticing.

Flap, flap.

I can’t see my face, but I’m sure I look like I own the world.
I can tell without looking.
My lips won’t stop smiling.

“… Her halo’s glowing crazy bright.
Is that okay?
It’s not gonna explode, right?”

Nom nom.

I ignore the demon’s words and focus on the parfait.
Paying attention to anything else with this in front of me would be rude, disrespectful, blasphemous.

Nom nom nom.

“Sweet stuff’s that good, huh?
Such a kid’s taste.”

“Whatever.
Hmph.”

Even her taunts can’t ruin my mood.
I’m generous enough to forgive her right now.

While I devour the parfait, the demon sips a tiny coffee cup.

Is that espresso or something?
I heard it’s super bitter.

“Do you like bitter stuff, demon?”

“Yup.
I didn’t mind it before, but since transforming, I’m drawn to it.
And call me Jisoo Moon, not demon.
That’s my name.”

Hmm.

Angels love sweets, demons love bitter.

Since similar species share traits, maybe angels and demons have opposite ones.

“I’m Garam Lee.”

Nom nom.

“Oh, by the way, I’m 18.”

What.

Clatter.
My spoon slips into the glass in shock.

“… Then why’re you talking so casually?”

“My choice.”

Snarky demon.

I want to smack this annoying demon right now.

But for the sake of the parfait and Junseo, who worked hard to calm things down, I hold back.

Especially for the parfait.

Nom nom.

…

Hehe, I’m in a great mood.

“Can’t you dim that halo?
It’s too bright, it’s annoying.”

“Why’s bright annoying?
It’s warm and cozy.”

I reach up to touch my halo.
It feels pleasantly warm.

Not hot, not lukewarm—just the perfect sleepy temperature.

If it’s too bright, fine, but how’s that annoying?

“Bright stuff bugs me.
Seeing it makes me feel off.”

“Because you’re a demon?”

“Dunno.
Maybe.”

I like bright things.
Guess our traits really are opposites.

Hmm.

A sudden question pops into my head, so I ask Jisoo.

“Do you ever, like, pass out during the day?”

“Pass out?”

She looks at me like I’m crazy.
Guess demons don’t faint during the day like angels do.

I pass out, though.

Why only me?
So unfair.

Why!

…

“No way…”

I finished the parfait.

The light of my life, the flame of my soul.
My sin, my spirit.
Par-fait.
Gone without a trace.
Where?
My stomach.

“I’ll buy you another later.”

Junseo scratches his head, seeing my sulky face.

“… No, I can buy it myself.
I’ve got money.”

Junseo paid this time, but I can’t keep mooching.

Thanks to the support funds, my bank account’s loaded.
I can buy one whenever I want.

My sadness isn’t about never eating it again—it’s just that I finished it so fast.

… Though I’m a bit worried I’ll blow my whole account on parfaits if I let myself go.

If it comes to that, I’ll just bring a limiter.
A limiter named Kim Junseo.
Or maybe Kanghyuk or Min-jae.

As I let my full stomach settle, Jisoo, who finished her cookies, stands up.

“Well, anyway, I’m out.
Don’t slap me next time we meet.”

…

Even as she leaves, Jisoo’s snarky.
Since I was wrong, I can’t really argue…

“Let’s go too.”

“Yeah.”

I stand, leaving the empty parfait glass behind.
Lingering, I keep glancing back.

I’ll definitely buy another later.