"So how was it? Life away from the city, I mean..."
Richard glanced at Marlene. The kind only lady's eyes were bent into crescents, softly watching him slurp up a bowl of noodles.
Wiping his mouth, Richard gulped down and answered,
"It was nothing interesting. It was for school, but I did travel a bit."
"I always knew you'd go places kid. Although the city is huge, it was always too small to contain someone like you. Am I right?" Pete said with a boisterous laugh.
It was only the three of them in the shop.
The rest of the patrons had gone home for the night.
Richard smiled. The warm atmosphere was rather nostalgic.
"That's enough from you, Pete. Go clean the dishes or something." Marlene nagged her husband.
Pete frowned and clicked his tongue,
"What? I also want to talk with the young lad. It's been years since we—"
With a glare from his much smaller wife, the large man walked into the kitchen while grumbling.
Richard couldn't help but chuckle at their antics.
Although it seemed like she was bossy, he knew Marlene truly loved her husband, the same with Pete.
'Next month will.be their thirtieth anniversary. I should get them something.'
He stuffed another mouthful of noodles into his mouth, slurping them up greedily.
He sighed in satisfaction. Although he knew how to cook, he doubted anything he made would even come close to these noodles.
'The bounciness. The flavor. The warmth. Truly perfection.'
He had indeed missed this place.
"Look at you, eating like an alligator. Slow down, would you?"
Richard followed her advice and slowed down a little.
"By the way, what did you return back to the city for?" She asked curiously.
Richard paused for a moment, then answered simply,
"Work."
Marlene's eyes narrowed and her expression became worried.
"I hope it's not..."
Richard smiled wryly. He could see from the corner of his eyes Pete's ear poking out of the kitchen.
He was also curious as well.
Richard nodded with a small smile.
Marlene sighed tiredly,
"That isn't good."
Richard couldn't help but chuckle, "It isn't?"
"Listen, Richie... You are a good kid. Too good for this world, even. Don't you think that line of work is too dangerous for you? Why not just retire and settle down with a wife? Your parents left you a rather large estate, didn't they?"
Richard had met this couple about eight years ago.
At the time, he had just been studying the fundamentals of magic and had yet to run into any supernatural encounters.
By change, he had stumbled into the noodle shop while on a late night walk.
The couple then had had no idea that a ghost, one of the lowest tiers of undead creatures, had snuck through a small opening in the veil, and was now living in the basement under their shop.
The thing had been exuding a rather dark energy that kept customers away, so the couple had been going through a rough time. The nasty spirit had also been feeding on the negative emotions of the couple, using it as a panacea to grow stronger.
That chance encounter had led Richard to his first ever abyssal creature banishment. He had also helped out the old couple.
After that, he had visited the noodle shop every night for the next three years.
This place, unlike the rest of the world at that time, had been a source of light and warmth in his life.
And since the old couple had no children, he had been like a child to them.
Richard sighed.
Turning to Marlene, he grasped her hands,
"I'm in this line of work because I enjoy it. Sure, that line of thinking might be twisted, but we can't control the things we like, can we?"
Marlene sighed, "Well, I suppose you are right. Still can't you find a few less dangerous hobbies?"
Richard chuckled, "It doesn't work that way. But it doesn't matter. I can't leave even if I want to. At least, not yet."
Marlene wanted to say something, but Pete shoved his head through the small window between the dining area and the kitchen,
"Give it a rest, Marlene. He's no longer a kid. He can take care of himself now. Isn't that right, Richie?"
Richard smiled,
"That's right, Pete."
He paused for a moment, then chuckled smugly,
"I'll have you know I'm already moving up in the occultic world. I even have my own team now."
Marlene chuckled,
"Is that so? Then make sure you take good care of your friends. From now on, they will be your family."
Richard paused for a moment.
Then he smiled to himself,
'Family, huh... That seems like a stretch, doesn't it?'
Marlene patted his shoulder,
"By the way, you didn't say anything about the wife suggestion. Does thatean you already have someone in mind?"
Richard's expression twisted immediately,
"Marlene! Leave the young lad alone!"
"Oh, come on! If I don't get to spoil his kids before I die, you'll be the one to blame!"
Pete clicked his tongue,
"Why are you always talking about dying?! I hope you don't plan on leaving me in this world alone!"
Marlene huffed then muttered,
"Honestly, this old fool."
Pete grimaced, "I heard that!"
She sneered, "That's the point."
Watching the old couple bicker, Richard found himself traveling to the past.
He had witnessed this scene so many times. Although they looked a bit older now, it was the same as always.
He smiled softly.
"Hm? Would you look at this. Richie, has anyone ever told you that you have a wonderful smile? Isn't that right, Marlene?" Pete said with a wide grin.
Marlene chuckled,
"I bet he gets compliments all the time. For sure a lady-killer."
Richard's smile turned wry,
"You two... You both enjoy teasing me a lot, don't you?"
He paused for a moment,
"By the way, I don't have anyone I'm currently seeing, nor do I plan on doing so in the foreseeable future."
Marlene violently slapped his shoulder,
"Nonsense! Don't worry, leave it to me! That old witch, Winne has a daughter around your age. Maybe the two of you will be a good fit. And then, there's also Miss Ma's kid..."
Quickly eating up the rest of his meal, Richard let out a satisfied sigh. Just as he was about to reach into his pocket, he felt two pairs of eyes glare holes into his body.
Breaking into a cold sweat, he chuckled nervously as he stood up and gave a small bow,
"Thank you for the meal. It was delicious. Truly."
Pete shrugged, a proud grin on his face,
"Of course it was."
Marlene rolled her eyes,
"Wipe that grin off your face. It makes you look creepy."
The. She turned to Richard,
"Our shop is always open for you. If you are ever hungry, or in need of a hug, we are here for you. Also, be careful out there. Don't get into any trouble or anything. Always put your safety first and—"
By this time, Pete had already walked out of the kitchen. Gently placing his large hand on his wife's shoulder, he gave it a rub,
"It's okay. The boy will do fine on his own."
Richard fought the urge to tear up hard.
Pete smiled at him,
"Still, it won't hurt to be a bit careful. We really mean it. If you ever find yourself hungry, remember there is always a warm meal for you here."
***
Leaning against his car, Richard let out a sigh.
Memories of the past kept flashing through his mind. There weren't a lot of good ones, and the bad ones were really up there.
But...
The warmth he felt truly was warm.
'Ah, humans... Their connections are fleeting and their lives wane. And yet, they crave connection so fiercely.'
Richard chuckled, 'Plato, I didn't say you could take the seat, did I?'
The Devil within his soul chuckled,
'I could tell you needed a companion. Might as well provide you some company, right?'
Richard smiled,
'Then what about Demons? Don't you crave connection between one another?'
'The one thing Demons crave the most of destruction and desolation. Our ultimate goal is absorbing your world into the abyss. That means the eternal damnation of every human. We also hate one another. Very much too.'
Richard sighed and shook his head,
'No changes, huh. I thought you all would get more friendly after so long. I guess I was wrong.'
'You aren't wrong,' The Demon replied,
'I can tolerate them much more thanks to you, Richard. You certainly are the only human that can pull off something like that. But, please remember this...'
The Mind Demon's voice became low and malevolent,
'From the beginning, until the end, we will remain enemies. Although we are partners in crime now, it is due to circumstances. The moment the opportunity rises, we will tear you apart. When the time comes, don't blame yourself too much.'
Richard went silent for a minute.
Then he chuckled,
"I'll keep that in mind."