"Meow."
A purring cat sat on my lap as I sipped my milk.
"Oh, hello there, Ochan. It's rare for you to sit on my lap. Is something wrong?"
My cat, Ochan, didn't utter a single meow but instead continued to purr as it changed its position. He glanced at my way before shutting his eyes; presumably, he was cheering me up. This is why I love cats.
Come to think of it, Ochan always hissed at Marcus whenever he was around. He would even go so far as to scratch him if that womanizer tried to approach me in his presence. It was hilarious looking at him shooing my cat away. Do cats have a sixth sense or something? I don't know. Not that I care that much.
Patting him gently, I softly said, "I should've listened to your instincts, my little one."
I then stared at the boxes I had placed in the corner. Inside all of those were his clothes, items, gadgets, and whatnot. I even deleted my save state in his games. This was an extension of my mission, the complete eradication of my feelings towards him. He is not worth it to be cried over. My aching heart will soon have its pain subside. Should I delete his save files, too? Oh, that's pretty evil. I won't do that, though. It was like I was stooping down to his level.
A call coming from my phone made me go back to reality. I gently got it out of my pocket, trying not to disturb my cat's sleeping phase, and stared at the screen. An unknown number showed up, but I'm familiar with it. It was the same number the collector used when contacting me for the monthly payment.
What was the monthly payment for? It was for that bastard's monthly subscription for a streaming app. Finally, I won't pay for this. Enough with sacrificing for his sake. I'd rather use the subscription payment for my equipment's maintenance.
"Hello, Miss Elande. Your subscription is about to expire. Would you like to extend our services?"
"About that, I would like to cancel my subscription. Oh, if ever someone would scold you about canceling it, don't worry about it. Just think of it as a rabid dog barking."
"A dog?"
"Nothing. Anyways, thank you for your services until now."
After acknowledging my response, he dropped the call, and soon enough, a notification appeared.
"With this, he won't be able to watch that drama unless he pays for himself, no?"
___
The bell chimed, telling that a customer had come into the salon. I traced my eyes towards the door, only to see a fine-looking woman nervously looking around. I approached with my usual business smile and asked. But before I could even continue, someone passed by and dove herself in the customer's direction.
"Hello there, young miss._"
"Wah! Tessah!"
"Ugh! W-wait, April. Please, let me off! You're squeezing me too much!"
"O-oh. S-sorry about that."
It was no other than my employee and friend, April Garcia. Wait, if she's reacting this way, then that must be…Tessah? But she's not this skinny last time I met her. Oh, April mentioned something about her being in a harmful relationship. Perhaps that's the cause.
Tessah sat down. April automatically reverted back to how she takes care of customers. Professionalism as its finest. I looked away to grab the air blower near me when I heard April yapping. To summarize, she's badmouthing the now ex-boyfriend. Thank goodness my husband doesn't have any crappy qualities on board.
"Calm down, April."
"How can I calm down when that guy mishandled you!? You're way too pure! Way too pure, I say! Martyr much?"
"Well, I'm flattered to know that you think I'm that kind of person. Still, I'd prefer it if you wouldn't cuss him out. It's a waste of effort."
"Ugh, I can't believe that this happened to you. What a waste. Oh well, since you asked nicely, I'll happily oblige."
___
"So, how was it?"
"It's my first time having this haircut. Thank you."
"Right? You're always going for something like reducing your hair to shoulder length. New you, new look!"
"What was it again? Whatchamacallit butterfly?"
"It's 'dimensional butterfly', silly."
After a few exchanges, I bid goodbye to my good friend and departed for a new destination I had in mind.
It took me half an hour to reach a certain store. It feels nostalgic, as I am a frequent customer here when I was still in high school. The owner and his daughter knew me because of it.
"Welcome--oh my! Tessah, long time no see! Have you come to visit your parents?"
"Hello, Mr. Push. It's been a while. Yes, I am about to. How are you and little Macy?"
A warm reception. As expected of Mr. Push.
"Here you go! Thank you for the purchase!"
I slightly bowed to the shop owner as I headed to my parents' home. I glanced at the surrounding area. Lots of things changed.
New buildings sprouted from the then open lots, youth and old people that I didn't recognize, and the scent of a now bustling city. Huh, am I really that old to reminisce about my childhood days?
I chuckled to myself.
As I walked at my own pace, humming and all, a panicked scream was heard.
"Ahhhhh! It's a fiend!"
A fiend of all times!? Was there a dungeon leak somewhere? I need to contact my parents! But first, I must go back to Mr. Push and help him evacuate! His injured knee won't allow him to run fast, so we must tread carefully.
___
Two minutes prior.
The Contra Fiend International, or simply Contra, is a worldwide association that mainly deals with repelling fiends, assigning fiend hunters based on their capabilities, among others. Within one of its branches, an alarm blared, notifying the presence of fiends in a city.
"What's the situation?"
"Sir, it appears that there's a low-tier fiend in Karmir City!"
The agents are no slackers. They notify the civilians to evacuate immediately. Human lives are important, and a slacking personnel might hinder the operation. The officer also issued nearby hunters to deal with the case.
Low-tier fiend may it be, it was still a threat.
"And threats need to be eradicated."
"What are you monologuing about, sir?"
"E-ehem. Nothing. Please notify me if something happens."
The agent silently nodded and faced the monitor again.