The three of us walk out of the ramen store with... two different expressions. I was all right with what just happened there—I care less about money. But It was just me. Alyssa walks out with an unsatisfied face. She sighs a lot. And sneer. Ayane in other hand… feels her life is complete. She is beaming at the moon.
"Thanks for the food," she says.
Alyssa looks down at her. "Really? You're satisfied?"
Ayane's hand splays over her chest. "Ramen is that last piece of puzzle you search for in life. So yes, Alyssa-Sensei, I'm satisfied." Ayane nods.
"Even with just instant ramen?"
"Every ramen is good."
All right, let me explain. When the girl with KFC hat left the table to make a ramen, we thought it'd be another five minutes before she appeared with our food, but… it'd only take two or fewer minutes. As Alyssa has mentioned, we noticed that this ramen… was just something you could find in the convenience store. I've thought of complaining, but the innocent look of the girl shattered the will. I guess Alyssa has the same problem, too. Ayane just started slurping it down, the first thing she did.
Alyssa rubs her forehead. "I feel like I got scammed by a little girl."
"Oh, come on," I pat her back, "I'm sure she doesn't mean it like that. Instead, think of it as charity."
Alyssa rolls her eyes, "Whatever."
Kinda feel like it's my fault if she's not enjoying the dinner. Because I was the one who chose the place. But then again, I didn't ask her to come. So we're even. I'll just keep that for myself.
Alyssa gets a phone call. She walks out to pick it up.
Ayane glances at me. "Thank you, Sensei."
"No, you deserve it."
"It may not be the best ramen I've ever had… but I enjoy this moment. Sensei is..." She heaves a sigh, "Alyssa sensei is cool,"
My disapproval wave. "She is cold."
Ayane cough a chuckle. "Well, I can see why you would call her that."
There's a silent between us before Ayane puts some weight in the air. "Should we just forget the ramen girl?"
I ask, "Do you think she's a hell creature in disguise?"
Ayane shrugs. "I don't know. I kinda feel something off about her."
"Me too… But don't worry. I'll investigate it."
"But you don't--"
"I can. She said our school name. As a responsible teacher, I will do the best I can. I'll call you if something comes up."
By calling, I meant to fight a battle.
Ayane sighs, "Just be careful Sensei. At least use your power to avoid... death."
"If I did, I'll die either way."
"I am sure the Order would understand—"
"And I am sure they would throw all reasons and dispose of me in this world."
As if to break the stiff tension between us, Alyssa comes back and nods at me. "I am needed home now." She pulls out her car key. "Ayane, where do you live?"
"It's Gotta Apartment."
"All right, I'll take you there."
Alyssa and Ayane look at me. Alyssa gives me a look of, do you want to come?
I shake my head. "Oh, don't worry. My place is just a brief minute's walk from here."
"Are you sure?" Alyssa asks.
I nod.
We said our farewells and went our own way. I know Alyssa has something to ask, but she has refrained herself from doing so. Maybe because she thinks it is none of her business. Or probably she's just tired. But I appreciate it. I really don't mind telling them I am going somewhere before my apartment.
But I do mind telling them the reason: I'm going to deal with the promise I made with the vampire.
'I'll get you human blood,' My stupid voice repeats.
It'd be risky. You don't know what the vampire could do if she got back her power. It always makes me wonder how long the cross will last on the door.
Why am I doing it, anyway? Well, it'd be lame if I say, I just couldn't stand her rambling and ranting if I am to back away from the promise. Or afraid that the vampire will start to loathe and attack me? They are not actual reasons.
Risky or not, I've promised. To me. Hell, creatures or not, I'm going to treat them fairly. In the end, everyone has feelings. That's the thing I realized before I quit being an exorcist.
I stop in front of a small white building decorated with lamps.
Unique Clinic.
Why did I choose this place? It's because I know someone from here that would help me. That it's weird to ask some random doctor to give you a pack of blood. I'm lucky to know someone. A woman that very well… knows that I'm an exorcist. Which is illegal in the exorcism world and they wouldn't like it a little. Plus, that was all my doing.
Sarah is already outside the building, sitting on a flower brick and smoking. Her eyes notice me. Doctor Sarah.
"I heard you call. What's going on?" Sarah asks.
I scratch my back head. All right, keep it cool. Just ask this one nicely. "Th—This might be sudden but--"
"Oh please," Sarah interrupts me, "the only worst surprise I think I'll have in this lifetime is when you slain my boyfriend two years ago."
She chuckles as she pats down her white coat.
Is she... still sad about it? I mean, yeah, it sounds traumatizing, but I saved her life. "It… It couldn't be helped. If only we could stop him--"
She shakes her head, "No, no. You did the right thing. I thought I loved him, but it turns out he's… not who I think he was." She sighs and throws the cigarette on the ground. She stomps it down. "My boyfriend is a werewolf—sounds like a manwha story, isn't it? Except theirs wouldn't actually eat the heroine."
If you're still wondering, Sarah had a boyfriend who's actually a wanted werewolf who had eaten thousands of human lives — all women. I killed him when he was dating Sarah. So you could say that I saved her. But our history doesn't end there.
Sarah scans me from down to up, "Look at you now, from the cold-eyes soldier with a flaming sword to a goofy sensei with a computer bag."
"Goofy," I look down at myself.
The night breeze blows past us. I remind myself why I came here.
Sarah tilts her head. "So? What is your request again?"
I say with a wry smile, "I… I probably need a pack of blood now."
Sarah squints her eyes. "A pack of blood? Why, that doesn't sound suspicious at all. I heard you've quit the exorcism shit. And try to become normal. Sigh, look I have nothing against the exorcism world if you ask me... They're just, you know? Kinda trying to open up my brain and wash it.
"If you're one of them again, please go away."
It's called Memory Wash and is done by the Stabilizer to keep normal humans from knowing there are hell creatures living among them. It's to keep the balance.
I shake my head. "No, I quit being an exorcist."
"So, you think you're living a normal life now?"
"I… I think so."
Sarah raises her eyebrow. "Well, what if I say that it's not normal for people to ask me for… a pack of blood? It sounds like this person is going to do some ritual thingy."
I calmly explain, "I know how that sounds, but I could really use some help right now. I couldn't tell you the entire story." Like literally. I continue, "But I hope you understand."
Sarah rolls her eyes up and sways her long legs. Her black knees fall off from one of her peach feet.
"Eyes up here." She warns.
Sarah pulls out one finger. "You've saved me from getting in a werewolf stomach." Pulls another finger, "Helps me from whatever your stabilizer is trying to do with my brain." And pulls the third one. "You gave me this."
She pulls up her coat to show a cross necklace gliding down her chest.
She shows back the three fingers.
Slowly, her other hand pushes down one finger as she says, "I'll try to give you a pack of blood."
I bow down in gratitude, "Thank you."
Sarah sighs, "No need. You have two more favours from me. If I can fulfil whatever your wish is then I would do it. Use them wisely."
She crosses her arm, "Sensei. No sexual request."
"I… don't think— All right, I understand." I better just say that.
"Look, after all your favours used… We…" She gulps down something in her throat, "I've said it before that I want nothing to do with the exorcist world. I just want to live like this. So… If you're still… Let's just say, not 'us.' Then I'm hurt to say this…"
She takes a deep breath. "Please refrain from seeing me again."
I feel a dagger caress my heart. "Owch, that's really hurt."
Sarah continues, "But I believe you could do it. Living a normal life, that's what you come here for, isn't that right, Sensei?"
"I guess so."
Sarah sighs and scratches her cheek. "Sensei, I—I'm not trying to be mean. But you have normal people as friends now. You have a normal people's job. And, and if you're still stuck in exorcism world business, that would endanger 'us' the helpless. We can't fight like you do. We can't burn a steel to decapitate a werewolf's head."
I nod. "I will remember that."
Sarah nods and gets up. "Stay here. I'll give you a pack of blood if there's any."
Then she went inside.
Sigh… That's really real for a moment just now. My head throbs at what reality is now to me.
Ten minutes later, I get a call from my phone. It's Sarah.
"We don't have any available blood now. Or at least with no one asking."
"Can't you… steal any?"
"…"
"Ha ha, just joking."
"Come up here. I've thought of another way you can bring a packet of blood home tonight."
"A—All right."