"You can sit down, dear."
Elizabeth's mother spoke gently while gesturing toward the kitchen table.
Samael silently nodded before walking over and sitting beside Elizabeth, still holding Mister Fool in his arms.
A moment later, Elizabeth pushed a cup of coffee toward him.
Samael blinked slightly.
Then immediately accepted it.
After all… he loved coffee.
"You actually showed up looking like a human being today."
Elizabeth commented casually while sipping her own coffee.
Samael narrowed his eyes.
"I do have basic manners, you know?"
"Really?"
Elizabeth tilted her head slightly.
"Because I clearly remember you wanting to visit Layla dressed in old clothes while looking like a traumatized homeless person."
"That was different… I already knew her. There was no need."
A quiet laugh echoed through the kitchen.
Samael slowly turned his head.
Elizabeth's mother was very obviously trying not to laugh.
That only made his embarrassment worse.
"So, Samael…"
Diana rested her cheek against one hand while observing the two with amused curiosity.
"How did you two meet?"
Before Samael could even open his mouth—
Elizabeth answered immediately.
"He shot me with an arrow."
Silence.
Samael froze.
For one horrifying instant, he genuinely felt like his heart had stopped beating.
"Liz…"
His voice came out low.
Desperate.
"I had my reasons. Don't say it like that…"
He shot Diana an almost pleading look.
The woman merely blinked several times before smiling in an oddly calm manner.
"Well… that's certainly a memorable first impression."
Samael slowly sank deeper into his chair.
But Elizabeth still was not finished.
"After that, he offered himself as trade currency, then we got mind-controlled and were forced to emotionally expose ourselves."
She said all of that while calmly drinking coffee, as if she were commenting on the weather.
Samael stayed silent for a few seconds.
Then sighed deeply.
"…Ahhh."
He gave up.
"That's basically what happened."
Diana finally failed to hold back her laughter.
The soft sound filled the cozy kitchen while Elizabeth remained completely serious, as though she genuinely did not understand why any of it was funny.
After a few moments, Diana looked back at Samael.
This time, however, there was noticeably more warmth in her expression.
"So you'd like me to take care of this little cutie?"
she asked while looking at Mister Fool, who was purring peacefully in Samael's arms.
Samael immediately nodded.
"Yes. Thank you so much for agreeing to take care of him… seriously."
His gaze lowered slightly toward the cat.
"It really means a lot to me."
The sincerity in his voice made Diana's expression soften even further.
"I should be the one thanking you, dear."
She smiled calmly.
"After all… you're the first close friend my Liz has ever had."
Elizabeth immediately looked away after hearing that.
Clearly uncomfortable.
Diana continued:
"I hope the two of you stay friends. Even with her slightly cruel jokes sometimes."
Elizabeth frowned slightly.
"I'm not cruel."
"You literally tried to destroy my reputation for entertainment."
"Did it work?"
"Unfortunately, yes."
Diana laughed again.
Meanwhile, Samael simply watched the scene in silence.
This atmosphere was… strange.
Warm.
Comfortable.
Noisy in a peaceful way.
It felt far too distant from his own reality.
Then Diana spoke again.
"But you know… she may not express it very well, but she really likes you a lot."
Elizabeth nearly choked on her coffee.
"Mom."
"What? I'm just being honest."
Samael looked slightly surprised.
Then, without thinking much about it, quietly replied:
"…I think I need her more than she needs me."
The silence that followed was brief.
But strangely sincere.
Elizabeth looked away while gripping her cup a little tighter.
And Diana merely observed the two calmly.
As though she understood far more than she let on.
A few seconds later, she pointed toward the cat.
"And what's the name of this adorable little thing?"
"Mister Fool."
Samael answered immediately.
Then seemed to realize something.
"Oh… and I completely forgot to properly ask your name."
Diana smiled.
"Diana."
"Nice to meet you, Miss Diana."
"The pleasure was mine, dear."
For some reason…
That response made Samael feel strangely comfortable.
Perhaps because Diana reminded him of Elizabeth.
Or perhaps because it had been a very long time since someone had treated him with such natural kindness.
But unfortunately—
Reality still existed.
Samael slowly glanced at the time on his communicator before sighing.
"I should get going now…"
His gaze lowered briefly.
"I need to prepare for the mission."
The atmosphere inside the kitchen became slightly heavier for a moment.
Diana was the first to break the silence.
"Elizabeth, walk Samael to the door."
"Okay."
Elizabeth calmly stood up while Samael handed Mister Fool over to Diana.
The cat did not seem bothered in the slightest.
What a shameless bastard.
The two walked together toward the front door in silence.
Outside, the night remained calm.
Streetlights softly illuminated the entrance of the house while the night breeze swayed Samael's pale hair.
She stood there quietly for a few seconds before speaking.
"Bye, Liz."
"Bye, Sam."
Elizabeth hesitated briefly.
Then looked away.
"And… sorry about the jokes earlier."
Samael blinked slightly.
Then let out a small tired laugh.
"It's fine."
He tilted his head slightly.
"You just wanted to make your mom less worried about your social skills."
Elizabeth froze.
"…You noticed?"
"It was pretty obvious."
Silence.
Then Samael smiled faintly.
A genuinely light smile.
For the first time in several days…
The crushing weight pressing against his chest felt slightly lighter.
Then she waved goodbye discreetly before slowly walking down the quiet street.
The night breeze was pleasant.
Perfectly cold.
Urban lights calmly illuminated the neighborhood while Samael walked leisurely along the empty sidewalks.
For some reason…
That simple tranquility felt precious.
When she finally entered her own neighborhood, she suddenly felt the urge to listen to music again.
So she took out her communicator.
Connected her earphones.
And searched for the album she had just downloaded.
"Abyss of Lovers."
The moment the first song began playing, Samael resumed walking slowly through the deserted street while the singer's melancholic voice filled her ears.
Or at least…
That was what she thought.
As she absentmindedly passed in front of a silent house, her footsteps slowed slightly.
A woman stood on the sidewalk.
Incredibly beautiful.
Long blue hair flowed softly over her shoulders while moonlight reflected in eyes of the same color.
A cigarette slowly burned between her fingers.
The woman observed Samael for several seconds before smiling faintly.
"So you like Abyss of Lovers…"
Her voice was soft.
Hypnotic.
"What a surprise. It's been a long time since I last met someone listening to that."
Samael blinked in surprise.
Then frowned slightly.
"How do you know what I'm listening to?"
The woman let out a quiet amused laugh.
A low laugh.
Far too beautiful.
"You really didn't notice?"
"…Notice what?"
She tilted her head slightly.
Then pointed toward the communicator in his hands.
"Your earphones aren't connected."
Silence.
Samael slowly lowered his gaze.
And indeed…
The earphones' Bluetooth was turned off.
The music had been blasting directly through the phone speakers the entire time.
Her face immediately heated up.
Pure embarrassment.
The woman laughed softly again after noticing her reaction.
Trying to escape the awkwardness, Samael looked away.
"I only started listening today…"
Her voice came out quieter this time.
"And I already ran into another fan. Impressive."
"A fan?"
The woman smiled while slowly exhaling cigarette smoke into the night sky.
"Not exactly."
For a brief instant, the wind swayed her long blue hair beneath the moonlight.
Then she looked directly at Samael once more.
And calmly said:
"I'm the one who sings those songs."