Murasaki stepped back slowly.
They're...tempting him.
But...but is it good to do this?
ZEFARIH: Ho...Hoshi, come here and assure him that making that girl fall in love is easy.
HOSHI: Huh? Are we going to use the potion? Hell nah, oh...sh*t, it's your fault dude, you made me swear. I was doing so better...I didn't swear for a week and...damn it! But I'm not doing that, ain't that evil? If she don't love you, that's it.
ZEFARIH: No, there's still a way. No one rejects our blood.
HOSHI: I'm pretty sure that's evil, sir.
MURASAKI: See? Evil! You're a demon, alright dad.
ZEFARIH: No, son...we're going to make her fall in love with you naturally. And since it's naturally, you with me Hoshi?
Hoshi simply gives a thumbs up, while inspecting Murasaki's room.
HOSHI: You got cool stuff here. Can I borrow this?
He pointed at the guitar.
To which Murasaki quickly declined to.
MURASAKI: No way. You won't be touching that stuff. Especially with your stinky hands. Like what did you touched?
HOSHI: Oh nothing much, I just killed some animal so I can eat and live.
Murasaki's face wasn't shocked as this should be expected of demons, he was however, rather curious of what more a demon should do in order to live. Plus, is he long living like these two?
MURASAKI: Dad, when do I die? Or won't I?
ZEFARIH: As much as I hated to say this, only a succubus demon can have demon children that could live long like most demons. Like Hoshi's case. And I, am not that kind of demon. So you'll die like a human would.
MURASAKI: Right...maybe I should stop drinking soda now.
HOSHI: Soda? Nah, man, it tastes good.
Zefarih looks at him with a warning, and Hoshi smiles awkwardly as Murasaki thinks things through.
ZEFARIH: Son, uh, the deal... If we get her to love you back, would you change your perspective of me?
MURASAKI: ARE you sure we won't be doing nasty things to have her love me back?
ZEFARIH: 100% guaranteed, son.
MURASAKI: Damn it dad. I...yeah. Do the things you said. But...she's...she's gonna be tough. She's in love with someone else.
HOSHI: Wow. More family drama. Seriously, your family's entertaining, sir.
ZEFARIH: Shut up, Hoshi.
HOSHI: Pff, fine.
ZEFARIH: So...son, where...and when should we start?
MURASAKI: Tomorrow come back at 8 am. I...I need rest for now.
HOSHI: Oh, okay. Can I get a souvenir though? You got cute small things in your room.
MURASAKI: Fine. Pick one.
Hoshi was about to pick a figurine that Gabby gave him, so he instantly yelled.
MURASAKI: Not that!!! Anything but that! Please...
HOSHI: Oh. Alright, alright. Got you fam.
He picks another one. And this time, Murasaki gave no reaction.
After Zefarih unexpected to Murasaki, touched his hair and pulls him close.
Zefarih felt so proud that his son managed to live this far even without a dad.
ZEFARIH: Bye for now, little Jr.
MURASAKI: I'm not a Jr.
ZEFARIH: At least say something heart touching. Don't be so rude. I more than rarely get a chance to show myself like this.
MURASAKI: Fine. Whatever. Uh, bye dad. Love yo-
ZEFARIH: No. I don't want to hear that from you. Something...manlier.
MURASAKI: Huh? Saying I love you won't make you gay dad. That's so wrong. Anyone can say that.
ZEFARIH: Oh, okay then. Bye.
MURASAKI: Yeah, bye.
HOSHI: How about me?
ZEFARIH: Tell him to get lost.
HOSHI: Hey, I heard that!!!
Murasaki chuckles, then soon Hoshi and Zefarih disappears like ashes blown by the wind.
The smell was gone.
Murasaki instantly falls asleep.
Dreaming about finally having Gabby with her.
...
The next day, he was anticipating their arrival. He even woke up at 4 am, not sure why he did but he just did. Fully awake and so close to biting his nails. He's not even sure if he slept much at all. Maybe he did have dreams but it felt shorter than usual.
Wow. Was he this impatient?
He managed to speed play with his guitar, draw a few panels, eat breakfast and then wait again.
He was so excited for some weird reason.
And then it was 8 am.
Why aren't they here?
He began walking all around his room to see them, and hey, it's the first time he wanted to smell the smokey scent he hated so much yesterday.
He was about to give up when something seemingly fell on his living room. So he went back from his kitchen towards it, looking first at the sofa.
Huh?
There was none.
"Boo."
A deep manly voice greeted him from behind.
And he almost cursed by the sight of his own father.
MURASAKI: Don't do that, geez.
ZEFARIH: My bad. Hoshi told me that it'd help you loosen up to me.
MURASAKI: Loosen up? What???
ZEFARIH: Uh, anyways let's go to her house.
MURASAKI: Where's the blond guy wearing a black hoodie like yours?
ZEFARIH: Hoshi is...behind you.
MURASAKI: What???
HOSHI: *pokes back* Hi, dude.
MURASAKI: Will you quit doing that? I hate getting startled.
ZEFARIH: Too bad. Your mother used to love that.
MURASAKI: I'm not my mom. Wait...did mom know?
ZEFARIH: Know what exactly?
MURASAKI: Obviously, know that you're a demon.
ZEFARIH: I didn't tell her, but she knew. She found out after she...attempted to take me to church with you. After that, as you can notice, you were raised far from churches in fear that I'd leave her. Unfortunately and obviously, I still did. But she thought you still how to pray, right?
MURASAKI: Yeah...hm, aren't you going to ask about her too?
ZEFARIH: I know she passed away. I know that much, Murasaki.
MURASAKI: What?? How?
HOSHI: Dude, you don't want to know that. It's adult stuff.
MURASAKI: I'm an adult though.
HOSHI: Zefarih, do you want your son to know how?
ZEFARIH: Of course not, now off we go. You're way too curious for your own good.
MURASAKI: Pfff, fine whatever.
...
While walking to her home, Zefarih couldn't help but ask about what kind of woman Gabby was that his only son was more than willing to do anything, even seeking help with demons, to win her heart.
ZEFARIH: What kind of woman was she?
MURASAKI: Hm? Oh, well...she's...she's actually very beautiful.
ZEFARIH: Yes, and?
MURASAKI: And...well, really clumsy...
ZEFARIH: Huh? Is being clumsy a good thing now?
MURASAKI: Quiet dad, it's a quirk. I...I like her for that.
ZEFARIH: And?
MURASAKI: Well, I...I actually can't explain it well...but deep down I know she's just the most amazing person ever. You'd love her too when you meet her. She has very cute eyes and...well, she's everyhting to me, you know?
HOSHI: Yow, does she have a sister?
MURASAKI: Huh? No. She doesn't have one.
HOSHI: A friend who isn't taken?
MURASAKI: Nope. All dating someone.
HOSHI: A cousin?
MURASAKI: Geez I don't know dude, and plus, you look pretty attractive, how come you don't have a girlfriend?
HOSHI: Oh, me? Thank you, hahahah. But my demon girlfriend apparently broke up with me to be with some stronger demon, pfff. What a freaking waste.
ZEFARIH: He loved her so much he was devastated entirely by that event, he doesn't want to be a DEMON anymore. He hated every thing that reminds him of her.
MURASAKI: Interesting. Why don't you just find someone immortal?
HOSHI: Good idea. Except, I hate demons, remember?
MURASAKI: What about reapers?
HOSHI/ZEFARIH: Reapers?
HOSHI: Our kind were afraid of reapers as well as angels, Murasaki. Are you saying you know one?
MURASAKI: More than one, actually.
HOSHI: How were you connected with more than one?
ZEFARIH: That is bad. They can sense us even with disguise. We are in a lot of trouble, son. We can't help you if there's even one around. Are they strong?
MURASAKI: Can't tell for the two. But one is definitely strong. In fact, he was rank 2, I think. Gabby told me all about it, and I saw them fight too.
ZEFARIH: I...we have to get rid if them. We have to meet Gabby without them.
MURASAKI: That's impossible. That one Red guy never leaves her side. Ever. And if she does, she might get in trouble. I honestly almost got her killed because I told him to stay away. Gabby's life is a ticking bomb.
ZEFARIH: If you marry, he'll be there too. Is that what you're talking about?
HOSHI: Yeah, what if the time you bang too. He'd be hearing all the stuff.
MURASAKI: Gross that it's the first thing on your mind. Anyways, I...I'm thinking of getting her spirit seeing eyes fixed. Then she can live normally. Or...maybe just convince the bad guys that she have no fault in their conflict. I know...dad, it's complicated. But...I really love her. Right now step 1 is to have my feelings reciprocated.
ZEFARIH: This is even more complicated than your mother and my relationship. But I'll try.
...
Soon they reached her house, and Red immediately panics at the scent of blood and smoke.
Gabby noticed the smell too. And she wondered what it could have been.
More so, their fear and confusion had been more worse when they heard Murasaki's voice after knocking three times.
MURASAKI: Hey, Gabby? Can we talk a bit? And I want you to meet someone too. Someone that...that's responsible for my existence.
RED: Gabby, don't. I can smell a demon behind that door. I'd call for Humility's help. Hide behind my back, quick.
GABBY: Responsible for his existence? His dad is a demon???
RED: Even if it's his dad, it's still a demon. Hide, now! I'm not trusting anyone, or I'll lose you again! I won't trust anyone anymore if there's even the slightest chance they can harm you...