Rade's Demon Elimination Service

Chapter 3: Eating Dumplings with a Half-Demon

"In cause you don't know, I am—" Kalleid was just starting, but the girl, who was sitting directly across from him, cut his introduction.

"A demon," Rade said and she said so casually that Kalleid just knew she wasn't saying it as an insult but, instead, she was saying as a factual thing and Kalleid couldn't help but be a bit sad and also complain within his mind. He judged too early and he felt he was wronged, he didn't say anything though, keeping his mouth shut tightly. "I am Elora Isolde Aldam, but you may call me Rade."

She was still eating, even after five plates of dumplings, and, to be clear, each plate contained around ten little dumplings and she was still munching on rice and fermented cabbage with spicy sauce. Kalleid thought that she might really be hungry given the appetite that she was showing.

"Demons are manifestations of human's emotions," Kalleid told her, almost scolding, and took away one whole plate from her—;it was her sixth. Kalleid feared the stomach constipation or cramps the girl, Rade as she introduced her name was, would feel later on would be sever. "And I am not exactly born that way. I'm half-human and half-manifestation. I'm not born out of humans' emotions, but in a traditional way of giving birth. Like any humans would."

"But you can't be killed," Rade stated yet again, her hand reached to the plate bearing the dumplings but Kalleid evaded.

"That's what is an immortal after all," Kalleid responded and finally gave her the last plate of dumplings. "And correction, I just heal real fast."

For a moment, Rade was silent and she just kept on munching on a dumpling, toying with it and tearing the soft wrapper. The blush on her face was still evident, Kalleid pretended not to notice and waved his hand on the waitress, gesturing for the bill as his other hand was already reaching out for his wallet. Kalleid knew if they stay longer here then he wouldn't just be an immortal— he would be broke immortal with the money worth of food Rade was eating.

"That... hunter," Rade abruptly said just as Kalleid gave his card to the waitress.

He thanked the waitress and smiled at her in gratitude before turning towards Rade, "Sis Nina?" he asked at her.

"Your sister?" Rade asked in return, Kalleid shook his head as an answer. "Immortal. Like you?" she asked again and Kalleid shook his head as a response.

"No, she's not my sister, but she's a pretty popular hunter around the town. Maybe you know her weapon, it's called Dianzi," Kalleid explained patiently. "Everyone calls her Sis Nina, but her real name is Lovenya Kov. Sis Nina for short."

"Ah, is that so?" Rade said, rather depleted of energy even after chowing down dozens and dozens of dumplings.

"So tomorrow..." Kalleid muttered, there was a lopsided, awkward smile on his expression and he doesn't know how exactly he would say it to Rade.

"Thank you for the food," Rade muttered and stood abruptly from where she sat. There was still that noticeable blush on her cheeks, shame on relying to the demon she was supposed to kill. "I will not give up, so tomorrow... nothing will change. A demon is still a demon, and a hunter is still a hunter."

Kalleid's lips protruded. He rummaged through his bag and pulled out something— a piece of paper. He presented it on the clean side of the table.

"This is my certificate of being allowed to live," he said eagerly and pointed at the photocopied stamp and signature of the chairman of HODE. "As long as this is valid, then my existence is also valid."

"That name..." Rade looked at the piece of paper, it was crumpled from being turned over and over. Most of all, it was pitiful. There was everything that was familiar with her on that sheet of paper. The stroke of the signiture, the words, and even how loathsome the very concept of it was.

That kind of certificate, she also has that.

Certificate of Existence, it says and it was too sick that people like her, and maybe him too, were all given something like this. As though their existence is an insult to the world. As though their existence was a mistake that could taint the world red.

It was pathetic.

And maybe there was also some truth within those uttered words that Rade never wanted to accept.

"I'm not a danger to anyone," Kalleid continued to defend himself, his very existence. "It might be true that half of me is just a manifestation, half a demon as you might say, but I'm also half a human too. I don't possess anyone, much less even kill or eat since that'll be too disgusting, like most demons and manifestations do."

Kalleid looked at Rade, a begging expression placed on his face asking for a merciful verdict. Rade doesn't understand why this immortal would try too hard to explain things to her, but she found and realized that, similar to her, he was also pitiful. He couldn't fight for himself.

It was then that Rade realized why he never fought her off even as she do all sorts of unspeakable things to him. If he did, the very nature of his existence would be questioned and this stupid certification might be revoked because he was stated as something who can't harm others and that will be a lie if he indeed hurt her.

She had been too selfish.

"Besides, it might be easier to actually try for normal demons and manifestations," Kalleid reasoned again, "unlike my body, they won't be prone to your attacks."

"Hm," was only Rade's response and then she quickly went out of the store they were both eating at. When Kalleid went out to call her again, he couldn't find her in the midst of the crowd going to and fro.

Kalleid was quite confused if it was a confirmation he heard or just the whisper of the wind. Will tomorrow be different? Kalleid didn't think so, but he would like it to be. He hoped that he has relayed to her the nature of his existence. After one more look at the crowd, he went back inside and get his things and that damn photocopy of the certificate.

It wasn't like he wanted to flash that kind of certificate to people when they doubt his existence.

It was too pathetic, he knew.

With tired limbs, Kalleid walked the path to his apartment. What welcomed him home was the cold bed and the pile of laundry he never got around on folding. He flopped on his bed that he never bothered folding either, except once every month or three weeks when he air it out outside.

The whole room has only one little window and it can get stuffy sometimes like the walls were closing in and trying to suffocate him. It was the worst feeling, Kalleid thought, being alone in this suffocating box and having no one when he gets those awful dreams.

He never bothered with anything.

Not that often, at least. Just the times that New York and London or even Ai, his friend from lower grade, would visit him in this apartment.

It was home, he guessed, and that was enough for hin.

When he woke up, it was always the same too. Sometimes, Kalleid felt like he was only a robot, automatically getting up when the alarm goes off, eating instant noodles, showering then off he goes to school.

Walking on the streets on his way to the school, Kalleid felt people steering off the course he was going. He got that ability too. Most mortals knew there was fundamentally wrong with him, but they could never point it out since he looked exactly what a normal human would. As a defense of their instinct, they would try not to associate themselves with him too often.

He was used to it and it never made him uncomfortable.

"Good morning!" He smiled at his classmates, he got a couple of greetings and nods.

His morning went on as he had expected and not even the shadow of Rade could be seen in the vicinity. There was still the tension on his shoulders though and his eyes, behind his glasses, were still vigilant.

"Looking out for the Aldam girl?" someone whispered on his ear.

Goosebumps rolled on Kalleid's skin, he even almost drop the tray of food he was holding. It was the lunch time and Rade was still not around, but standing next to Kalleid was New York Aldeia. Similar to him, New York was also carrying a tray of food with both of his hands, though New York's have very few items, not even just a few but almost nothing.

They walked together on an empty table at the very back of the cafteria and New York was already drinking Kalleid's orange juice. With a deadpan eyes, Kalleid gazed at the one who was happily, mockingly actually, drinking his drink.

"You never like orange juice," New York responded before Kalleod could even rebuke him. "Why even buy it?"

"Because you like it," Kalleid answered, "I was just waiting for you to ask to get it from me—"

"Elora Isolde Aldam," New York said arrogantly and sipped angrily on the paper straw of the orange juice in a small carton box, "I heard what happened yesterday."

"From Sis Nina?" Kalleid asked warily, a lopsided smile on his face, but New York shook his head.

"From the Watchtower. They said you called for someone to fix the mess Sis Nina's demon was causing. Why didn't you just—?" New York suddenly breathed deeply, an aggravated sigh for Kalleid. "I remember offering help to you, dummy."

"You didn't offer me help," Kalleid reprimanded him, he pushed back his glasses on thw bridge of his nose and looked seriously at New York. "You offered to dispatch Rade."

"Who the heck is Rade?" New York set down the empty carton juice box and raised a brow at him.

"It's her nickname," Kalleid responded weakly and smiled at New York, though he felt like New York's brow was raised even higher.

"You're in first name basis now with her?" New York asked with incredulity. Though his shoulders were both quite relaxed, his eyes were sharp and his mocking voice held a certain edge. "Not even first name basis, but nickname?"

"I told her that I have the HODE's approval and showed her a copy of my certificate," Kalleid relayed to New York. It wasn't asked, but still Kalleid told New York to appease him of some sorts.

"You think that's enough?" New York scolded mockingly in return and started eating a pastry straight from Kalleid's food tray. In New York's defense, maybe Kalleid also bought it for him. Cafeteria food was just disgusting. "Do you even know who she is? I told you, stay away, Kalleid. You don't need get involved with her likes."

Kalleid looked down on his unappetizing cafeteria food. A whole bowl of muck water soup, greasy chopped up meat with red tomato sauce, and rice soaked in more muck water soup. The most appetizing ones were already eaten by New York so Kalleid pushed his food tray away from him, his appetite was lost and nowhere to be found.

"What exactly were her 'likes'?" Kalleid curiously asked. He stirred the muck water soup with his spoon, watching New York as he did so.

For the first time in a while, Kalleid saw New York's face turned serious. There wasn't the known sarcastic smirk on his lips, not even the raised brows that indicate his usual attitude. A sober clearness was all on his face's expression. Kalleid even thought that his question wouldn't be answered, but, unexpectedly, New York spoke in the same serious manner which his face had.

"The Aldam family is known to use their blood and the blood of their victims to strengthen their spiritual abilities," New York told him. He reached for the chain around his neck, it was slender and sophisticated looking s expensive, playing with it with his fingertips. His eyes became hard and his lips pursed slightly. "I've heard that their bloodline is cursed, but I'm not sure how accurate that was or in what way they were cursed. I've heard though, that every person who's ever involved with them were hunted with misfortune. If you don't want to be included on their cursed bloodline, you better stay away."

"That's just judgemental," Kalleid purred gently and tried to touch a stray strand on New York's head that Kalleid thought was rather cute and endearing.

"That's smart," New York contradicted, but the seriousness that pinched his face has faded away. "Tss, even if I told you that, you're still going to..." New York's eyes darkened a fraction, dimming as he watched the boy in front of him. "Help her." Then he shrugged, appearing not to care. "Or something close."

Kalleid only smiled at him while New York stood abruptly, walking away from Kalleid who still remained seated on his spot.

"Don't always coop yourself in the clubroom," Kalleid called to New York who only waved though his back was already in front of Kalleid.

Dismissal drew closer and Kalleid's hands were starting get sweaty. He wasn't still certain if Rade would still attack him, he was hoping she wouldn't. Because of the attacks, he went to the shopping center to buy some school uniforms. When Kalleid went inside the Supernatural Club Room, New York was nowhere to be found.

"Boundaries are already on standby," Kalleid read out loud the note that was the only indicator that New York went in. "So he's already expecting the Aldam girl to attack," he said gently, but the whole club hour period went and Rade didn't showed up.

Kalleid was starting to think that maybe she gave up.

He was wrong, of course. Why did he even expect otherwise?

As soon as he went out of the club room, Rade was already waiting for him. Not bothering to hide her presence, she stood in front of the door but what Kalleid noticed was that there was none of the presence of her deadly weapon. She didn't even attack him even though he could see the wariness within her eyes.

"Hello," Kalleid greeted mildly and smiled gently at her.

"U-um..." she stuttered and just looked at Kalleid.

"No need to be so aggresive today," Kalleid said with yet another smile, "actually, can we talk, Miss Rade?"

A park was nearby and Rade suggested it as it was also near the train station she take to get to her low rise apartment. While they walked, both can feel the awkwardness of their situation. Kalleid was keeping his hands swinging by his side, while Rade was tightly clutching her school bag.

"It's fine here," Rade said.

They both stopped at the swing of the park. At a distance, there were still kids playing around and the sun hasn't completely went down casting a faint hombre glow around them.

"I only have one question to ask you," Kalleid started, his voice was still mild and the smile on his lips was still gentle as the wind that blew on their hair. "Why did you moved here?"

Rade didn't speak, she didn't answer him even after five minutes. Kalleid was patient though, and he waited for Rade to find her voice to speak up.

Meanwhile, Rade's face was flushed and she kept remembering what happened on the past and why she didn't want to look back to it. She was contemplating if it was already too late to attack him. It wouldn't be dignified, of course, since he was completely unaware just like the first time, and there were the matter of other people too.

At the end, Rade forced herself to speak. She couldn't bear to just look at that gentle bespectacled face, waiting for an answer. It was too innocent. He was too different from her.

"Do you..." There was a taunt tension on Rade's jaw when she spoke. "Do you think I would tell you?"

"So you do have a reason," Kalleid supplied, "my companion, the one HODE appointed to look after an immortal like me in case I go crazy, he told me not to get involve with you."

Rade gritted her teeth harder.

Even those who didn't know her was content on misjudging her though they have no idea what happened or how much suffering she endured. They only cared about what background she came from.

The cursed bloodline.

Rade clutched her bag tighter that she thought she would break it. Her eyes refused to direct at the gentle ones from the boy who was still alive even after fatal blows on his body inflicted by her. He wasn't even angry at her and Rade found it hard to believe that someone can be as forgiving.

"He's... he's probably right," Rade murmured, but Kalleid was having none of it.

"Why?" he still asked, but his voice was kind and benign. Not mocking her vague answer, it wasn't even trying to force her. It was like Kalleid was truly curious of the reason why he had to avoid her. "It's alright if you won't say it. You have the right to keep it to yourself. I'm just curious."

He is too gentle, Rade thought, he doesn't know what she had done and she needed to be avoided.

"Maybe next time, Rade. You should go home now, it's getting darker. It's not good for hunters like you to roam around unprepared. Demons and manifestations tend to be attracted by your spiritual energy. I'll see you later," Kalleid finally said and he started to turn away from her.

A step.

Then another one.

It took Rade Kalleid's five pace to manage to find her voice. She wanted to tell him off. He seemed like a really good person, Rade thought to herself. She couldn't even hope to befriend him. Similar to her, he has the Certificate of Existence, if he ever get close or even just acquainted with her more than a hunter and an immortal, he might get himself into trouble.

Already, his companion was telling him to get away from her. And it was the right thing to do.

"I can't tell you why I moved here," Rade said to Kalleid's back. "But your companion is right. Don't get involved with me. You're an immortal, I don't know why you have to had that kind of certificate but you seemed to be really docile."

Kalleid turned around and smiled awkwardly at the word 'docile'. He wasn't an animal to be called one, but he let Rade speak and finish.

"As for me," she muttered, her voice getting lower and lower, "I only bring bad luck to people, so listen to your companion."

"Why?" Kalleid asked again.

"Because I've killed someone," Rade finally answered.

Kalleid thought he saw a glint on her eyes. Maybe it was only the setting sun's last shine but he would never be able to confirm. After that one single sentence, Rade ran away from him.

It was the first time that Rade was running away from him instead of running towards him.