Rade's Demon Elimination Service

Chapter 12: It's The Day Before

It was the same time that Kalleid went out of Mary Helena High School to meet with New York at the bridge where the latter dispatched the demon, and London Aldeia went to Lyu and Rade's homeroom to fetch the both of them.

"I told 'ya I'mma come back," London said waving like a mother hen just picking his kids up from school.

Rade still looked uncertain and London could feel it so he did the thing he knew would work on an uncertain little girl and threatened the mentioned uncertain little girl.

"If you don't want or like to go along," London started with a light tone, "the clan will absolutely have to ban you from hunting."

"B-ban... ban?" Lyu asked, his cute peach blossom eyes were reflecting anxiety for Rade. "You'd have to ban her? How would Rade make a profit then?" he demanded with a small pout. "That's so cruel, London!

Can't you just send a warning to Rade or give her something lighter?"

London almost facepalm himself. His intention was supposed to be for Rade, but Ai was just too innocent and sensitive that it was him who got scared.

"Damn it, Ai!" London cursed at him which only made Ai pouted. "Just like what you said earlier. Dude's got a bit screws loose, eh?"

Lyu squinted his eyes towards London who also mockingly squinted his eyes in retaliation, nodding his head as if challenging the little boy with plump cheeks and beautiful peach blossom eyes to speak up yet again.

"Cute, too cute," London commented and pinched gently Ai's plump cheeks, not speaking to him any longer the older boy turned to Tade. "So, wazzup, Rade?"

"No, it's fine," Rade said, without any emotion which was a little contradictory to her uncertainty from earlier. London felt she renewed her resolve and squared her shoulders all over again, ridding herself of the slouch she had. "It's my fault and I should own up to it."

With that, Rade went ahead of the other two. London looked at Ai and the same was done by Lyu, smiling a little and showing the dimples hidden on his cheeks.

"Rade is often so serious," Lyu remarked and started walking after Rade. They were only ten paces short from where Rade was at, walking and not even looking back. "I seldom see her smile, and maybe there's still wall around her that even Kalleid couldn't walk pass by."

London looked at the girl's slender back.

He doesn't know what to do if he was being honest with himself, and so, he let New York handle how to break it to Kalleid whom he was certain would help this hopeless little girl whose back was turned to him.

"You have the Sky Teller," London suddenly spoke, his voice was low in any case that Rade was listening. "Can you tell me how proficient she is?"

Lyu suddenly stopped walking, there was a certain expression within his peach blossom eyes that made London averted her gaze away from him.

It was sadness.

London would often think how come Lyu was too human for a half demon immortal. Smiling like how the sun does, feeling sadness like most humans do, and being all pure and innocent ball of sunshine. How come when he really thought of it, he looked more human than most human do?

He also halted, looking behind him to Ai whose eyes were nailed down to the asphalt ground.

"What is it?" London asked curiously.

"By proficient, do you mean bloody?" Lyu asked in a rather forlorn tone which only had London nodding solemnly. "Or just how many people and demon alike she killed?"

London didn't say anything further, but he didn't really need to since Lyu was already talking.

"The ledger in which the names of her victims were all listed is dripping continuously."

He understood and only nodded, beckoning to Lyu to walk closer.

The three of them reached the marketplace where Rade met the other hunter who helped her. When all of them reached the exact spot though, it was already squeaky clean. Devoid of any of the blood that Rade carelessly splashed around the place, even the disarray in which she left the marketplace spoke nothing of what had happened earlier in the morning. In fact, most of the stall owners in which the toppled stalls belonged to were all there, moving like today was a normal day and not the day their place was trashed to bits.

"Everything seemed to be taken care of now," Lyu remarked, looking around and even running towards a barbecue stall. "Look here, Rade! London!"

"Come on, someone's excited," London said, he gestured to Rade, "you know some of the half demon immortals like them can't eat food?"

Rade suddenly looked at London then to Lyu who was smelling the grilling barbecue, resembling a puppy with his tongue almost hanging out. She suddenly tried to remember if she had seen Megumi (probably not since she had only net with her once) or Lyu ate any food before. As far as she could remember, Lyu and Megumi favored tea as tea was the only thing they ever served. But then Kalleid would always eat with Rade.

She was pretty sure that Lyu drank water and tea before, he even often accompany her on lunchbreaks so it was quite impossible that he hasn't eaten any food at all.

"But he always..." Rade motioned eating with her two hands, pretending that she was holding utensils with both hands.

"Human food for them is like chewing gum for Megumi and Lyu," London answered, he already motioned for them both to move forward. "But Lyu still needs people's emotions and feelings. Sucking it to sustain himself. That's why he's quite the social butterfly and why he's f*****g starving today."

"Starving?" Rade repeated.

"He's been with you all day and I think you don't really feel anything so, you know?" London's shoulders both shrugged casually. "Even when he's with other people, it's not like he can just connect with them like what he's doin' with 'ya. Sky Teller is a unique and a very powerful ability, it needs a lot of emotions for Lyu to keep using it."

That kept Rade quiet for a second, thinking deeply while glancing at Lyu who kept on looking at the grilling pork. His eyes were glimmering as though he was really just hungry. As he reached towards his pocket, he caught Rade looking at him and enthusiastically waved her over.

"The kid's got the Sky Teller so you know how powerful that is," London continued. There was this strange feeling within Rade's mind that London was purposely making her feel guilty.

She doesn't feel guilty though, or maybe just a little. Not enough to frustrate herself over on.

"What about Kalleid?" Rade asked the older boy.

"Kalleid does not have any known abilities other than self regeneration," he answered to her question. "That's not a rarity in demons though. Anyway, we should go there, yeahh?"

It was actually a good thing that London finally moved on to another topic that pertained to the original reason they went in this place.

"Anyway, everything's arranged 'round here. I wonder if it's one of the Aldeia's men who helped you. Why did you ran away from him by the way?"

"He wanted to inspect Emma," Rade answered.

The older boy's brows furrowed, unaware of what Rade was pertaining to.

"And Emma is?" London prodded.

"I mean Aíma," Rade quickly corrected herself. "Emma is just my holy weapon's nickname that I gave it."

"Hilarous," London nonchalantly muttered and moved to observe their surroundings.

At one of the monoblock chairs, London's eyes involuntarily became two slits until he was certain that the man who was wearing a pair of baggy suit was someone she actually knew. He clicked his tongue loudly and Felif Astride looked back at him, his face immediately brightening up to a smile. Beside her was Rade who heaved a deep breath, some sort of gasp, London guessed.

By then, London already grasped the situation.

"Felif!" London called out, his hand waved at the man. The man in question immediately walked to them, leaving his sad monoblock chair. "What are 'ya doin' here, my dude? Don't—" London put up a hand to gestured a stop sign to Felif "—answer, I think I know and I also think—" he glanced at the little girl beside him who was already bowing "—that you two know each other?"

"We've met earlier," Felif said in his amicable voice that just annoyed London to no end. "I came back here just in case—"

"So you could ask her for what you paid the Watchtower?" London asked rather rudely.

"You tongue's really sharp," Lyu suddenly intervened. Although his words were quite bold, he still hid behind Rade who cooperated and covered him with her body; out of the sight of the other hunter. "Got a new whetstone?"

"Shut up, kid," London snapped jokingly then turned towards Felif who was already speaking.

"I'm afraid I did something that offended your companion." Felif then nodded politely to Rade, he held out one of his hands. Rade shook it politely, but was embarrassed when Felif's hand was stained with blood that seemed as though forever on her hand though her holy weapon was staying on her skin as though it was a cool tribal tattoo (which it most definitely not). "I'm Felif Astride, just call me Felif. I'm working for the Observatory of Huntsman Order, it's nice to meet the Aíma and the last wielder of it."

London saw Rade took a step back, her eyes were suspicious.

She must be thinking that HODE was out to get her with the incident a year ago. Though they already gave an assurance, that would mean nothing if her case was, once again, came to a reinvestigation, London thought.

With Rade becoming uncomfortable, London's eyes became vigilant, but Felif seemed to be nothing short of polite nerd who went on to speak something out of the English language.

"I have never seen Aíma up-close," he continued, "but I have heard of how it works. It's amazing! When I held it earlier, I felt the surge of incredible power—"

"In short he's a big dork," London cut him. "Sorry for all the mess my junior caused. If you need money which, undeniably, you really do—" London gestured with his hand at the baggy brown suit that Felif was wearing "—just tell one of our hunters at the manor and we'll pay you threefold."

"I only read this kind of lines in a novel," Lyu intervened again. When he receive one of London's sharp glares, he smiled innocently and hid better behind Rade. "Protect me from the monster, Rade."

Rade nodded and answered him in a serious tone, "I will."

"Who's the monster, you two?" London demanded with a slightly painful pinch on their side. "I can grill y'all on a kebab stick and y'all will see who's the real monster. Anyways, these are my juniors, Felif. This is Rade Aldam, you know her—" he motioned to Rade then to Ai who was still hiding just in case "—and my little demon junior, Lyu."

Felif's eyes visibly brightened up, and he didn't even asked for a permission when he vigorously shook Lyu's hand as if he saw a celebrity. He was smiling widely, and there was the scholarly glint at his eyes. Though he still looked the handsome amicable young man, there was that shining light in Felif's eyes that London was refreshed to see.

"I have never met a half demon immortal," he mutterd enthusiastically, "you are beautiful beyond compare."

And because Felif has that certain gentle voice, even to both of Lyu's ears, he was like confessing his feelings to him. He quickly shook his head and clung to Rade, pouting to be let on.

"R-rade... strange man," he said and pointed at the handsome man who was smiling brightly at him. "Strange man."

Rade, however, looked horrified and doesn't know what she has to do. She was holding Lyu's shoulders to comfort him, but Felif, the dork, was advancing towards them.

"Told 'ya so," London announced to all of the three. "He's a dork, a big dork. He's staying at the manor in the meantime so if he ever bothers you two again, give me a call."

"London, is he your boyfriend?" Rade asked cluelessly, still holding and protecting Ai from the sight of Felif.

"f**k off, Rade! He's old!" London snapped. "And it's New York who's a gay. Anyway, he's here to observe the Shadow Fantasm. It's not a secret that the demon manifestation s***h the first of the great demons of humanity with its brand new vessel is coming, right?"

Clenched hands into fists, Rade looked as if she was lost and went to a remote place after those words. Her hold on Lyu slackened until Lyu was the one who initiated to let go and just stand properly. She felt her chest tightening to the point that Rade felt her heart was exploding right through her rib cage though the holy weapon imprinted on her skin would definitely avoid any real or fatal hit on her body.

"Ah, yes," Felif agreed and nodded. "I'm just going to stay here for a short while, just until after I studied the aftermath of the Fantasm's arrival around the area. You guys should be heading home now though," he reminded with a frown at the sun that almost faded into the horizon, only leaving some rays of orange and yellow at the distant sky. "Since the Fantasm draws closer around the region, demons became more at loose."

Lyu nodded, agreeing with Felif.

"Yes, sometimes I felt its presence gripping at my mind," he told them and pursed his lips seriously though he only looked like he was posing for a photoshoot. "And I could see the demons' agitation. I can even see ancient demons wanting to break free from the boundaries they've been trapped within."

"We're fortunate that we have Lyu's Sky Teller to predict where to put boundaries," London said, but quickly changed his tone. "Aish! We should really get going. You, Rade." He pointed at Rade who have became so quiet that her presence was almost forgotten. "I'm entrusting little Lyu to you. Get him home safely."

"Okay." Rade turned to Lyu who nodded as an agreement. "We should get going then. Felif, I'm sorry for the trouble and if you need me to pay for anything, please say so to London who will pay for it."

"Tss." London's tongue darted towards his lips, wetting the dryness of it. "Lyu, this is what you call shy? Kind disappointed. Go then, go long now."

London shoved and pushed both Rade and Lyu together out of the way, he went on ahead of the other two and walked away first with Felif on his tow. Lyu looked at Rade closely, waiting to just let her take initiative since he doesn't really know if she actually would take him home.

At last, Rade finally looked at Lyu.

"Let's go?" she asked cautiously. Lyu nodded enthusiastically and led the way, walking backwards just to see if Rade was actually following him from behind.

"You looked bothered?" Lyu suddenly said, though it came out as a question rather than a statement.

Rade lowered her head, averting the eyes of the other. She doesn't seem to know what to say and Lyu waited patiently to let her speak, not forcing her. He kept on walking until he felt that she wasn't following him any longer. There was an askance expression on his face when turned around to face her.

"Is it true?" Rade asked, confusing her companion.

"What is?" Lyu asked in return, not sure how to answer her since he doesn't have an idea what she was talking about.

"That you need human emotions to sustain your form?" Rade finally looked at Lyu who was shocked with her question. "You need to connect with people to sustain yourself?"

Lyu scratched his nape, looking like a bashful little maiden.

"Just useless half demon immortal things that doesn't make sense ," he said with an embarrassed expression, cheeks were full of reddish blotches. "My sister doesn't have to do draw power from humans that often since she's already so powerful enough. Instead of me drawing strength from my own power, it is the other way around. The Sky Teller is sucking up my energy. If I don't sustain myself, I'd go back to my demonic form."

Rade was silent for a few seconds before Lyu asked something again, startling her slightly.

"How did you know about this, by the way?"

Lyu thought back to the days that he was with Rade, failing to remember that he mention anything related to his diet. When they eat together during lunch breaks, Lyu would always made sure that he do it right. Even eating like a human being was complicated for him, to be honest.

"London said earlier you're starving," Rade stated. Even without saying explicitly, Lyu could feel her guilt molding her expression. "And that's because you're hanging out with me. Is that true?"

"E-eh?" Lyu grunted with surprise.

He wasn't sure how to comfort Rade, what words should he use and how should he speak them so Lyu shook his head vigorously, waving his hand this way and that way. It was awkward for him, but Rade have no indication of being awkward towards the matter though, treating it as a kind that induce sympathy and guilt on her part.

"London also said that you're starving because of me," she continued further on, "because I rarely have the emotions of that you need. Is that true?" she asked on point.

Lyu was rather speechles. He was again uncertain how to proceed from there. And so, it took him quite a few seconds to respond to Rade.

"I-it's... it's fine, really," Lyu stammered, "I told you that I'm not as powerful as my sister. Sky Teller is hard to contain, yeah, but it's my humanoid form that's making my life hard which has nothing to do with you. I can only absorb emotions from one person at a time, or else my body will either rebel against me or I'll lose my mentality."

"You'd go...?" Rade said with uncertainty.

"Crazy, yeah," Lyu confirmed with her. "I'm sorry if you think I'm abusing you, Rade. If you're uncomfortable, maybe I'll stick to another person instead. Maybe I should've told you in the first place actually. I'm just scared that you'll be disgusted. But—" he said in a protesting manner "—I tried my best to absorb as little as possible. I really do wanna help you around Mary Helena. Adjusting and adapting to the environment."

"No, it's fine," Rade contradicted solemnly. There was a queer expression on her face that made Lyu pay more attention to her. "We all do what we can to survive. It's not like you're a parasite too, so absorb all you can."

The two of them both walked in silence. The marketplace was fairly near the shop owned by Lyu and his sister that they didn't have to take any means of transportation. Air drifting with leaves on tow, it was quite peaceful. Not as though an incredible calamity would go about and quite possibly wreak havoc in the nearest future.

"Tomorrow is the day, Rade," Lyu said casually, looking at the darkness brought by the absence of the sun.

Rade's gaze pointed at him. She tried to remember one of the few friends she had in this lifetime, unsure whether she would see him ever again. She just looked at him like that until they were under theh traffic signs of the intersecting roads and Lyu had to grab her arm to stop her for going straight to the oncoming cars but there was a hidden fear on his gentle face.

"I'm... I'm sorry," she muttered, her head lowered that her hair fell in front of her face, obscuring it from Lyu's view.

She didn't saw then the soft smile that touched Lyu's face.

"It's fine, Rade, you just have to look where you're heading at," Lyu told her softly, a smile plastered on his face. "Are you scared?" he asked, looking up to Rade's face that was still hidden behind her dark hair.

"Maybe," she answered, her response was drowned on the roaring sound of the passing cars while her hands was tightly being held by the boy.