The Incubus System

The Incubus System Chapter 214. The Chaotic Dinner III

"Open your mouth, sweetie," said Larry with a smile. His hand brought a fork full of spaghetti to her mouth. It seemed he didn't want to lose to us and thought what I did with Emma was a declaration of war to show which of us was the most romantic couple.

Ruby responded with a deadly glare. From her expression, it was clear she didn't want to. Larry realized that, his eyes swept across Emma, Mrs Susan and me in panic before he turned his gaze back to Ruby and moved his mouth silently 'Please ...'. I bet he wanted to impress and gain recognition that he was not a pathetic single.

"I think you should try it, Ruby. The food is really delicious," I finally tried to help Larry, after all, I wouldn't be able to save him from Ruby later. At least with this, I hoped his mother didn't ask about our love life again.

With a simple word from me, even though Ruby seemed to object, she finally ate what Larry gave her. Ruby's eyes were on mine and Emma's as she chewed her food. While Larry's hand took another bite with his fork. And as it had been prepared beforehand, the end of a strand of spaghetti connected their mouths.

'Okay, that's too much!' It was a famous romantic scene from an old cartoon, so I knew where it would go. I didn't expect Larry to go this far just to get recognition from me and his mother.

But before I made my move, Ruby bit into her spaghetti strap.

"What are you doing?" she said in a cold voice. Her killing intent was clear from the gaze in her eyes that were directed at Larry. Maybe if we weren't in public and Mrs Susan wasn't here, Ruby would have punched Larry in the face.

Larry's face turned pale and panicked at once.

"Ah --- uh ... Nothing." Nervously he turned his head forward and continued eating awkwardly.

Seeing that, I used my observation skill on Larry. Who knew, he might really fall in love with Ruby. But from his emotion status, I could conclude he didn't have any feelings for her. He just wanted to show off. Unfortunately, he pushed his luck too much.

Mrs Susan giggled.

"Your shy attitude reminds me of my younger days," she said to Ruby.

Emma and I could only smile awkwardly since Mrs Susan thought they were acting like a couple in a romantic comedy movie but we knew, this was more like a thriller movie. Larry was like eating with his future murderer or torturer. Well, even though Larry and Ruby's acting were bad at least they managed to trick Mrs Susan.

Then Mrs Susan's giggle dimmed as she realized it was getting late, she checked her watch and stood up in a panic.

"Oh no, I'm running out of time!" Quickly, her hand took her purse.

"Where are you going, mom?" asked Larry in confusion.

"Your dad is coming home tonight, I have to make his dinner," she said.

"Just order a takeout," said Larry.

"He wants his favourite chicken soup." She turned to Ruby.

"I know my son is a little weird but he's a good guy. I hope your relationship goes well."

And Ruby answered with a forced smile.

Then Mrs Susan swept her gaze across us with a smile.

"See you later everyone."

"See ya later." After that, she left.

Larry's gaze followed his mother until she got into a taxi and moved away.

"Are both of you really in a relationship? Your sisters said you are still single," Ruby's voice broke our silence. Her eyes were fixed on me as if there were only the two of us there. Looks like since Larry faked his relationship, she thought Emma and I were doing the same thing.

"I'm not faking this. Our relationship is real," I said.

Just as those words left my mouth, Larry choked on his food.

* Cough * * Cough * * Cough *

"Wait! What?! I thought you were just pretending," he said in disbelief.

"We're not pretending, Larry," said Emma.

Hearing my words, Ruby's face grew gloomy.

"Since when?"

"From a week ago," I said. Without Mrs Susan, Ruby decided to end her acting without saying anything to Larry.

"Did your sister know this?" she asked again.

"I just told her yesterday."

"Is that so ..." she said in a grim tone. Then she glared at Emma for a moment before returning her gaze to me. In nervousness, Emma's hand that was under the table grasped mine. Even though she knew Ruby couldn't hurt her, still ... Ruby was her senior. But if Ruby tried to hurt Emma like she did to Bern and Franz, I wouldn't hesitate to make her my enemy. Of course except for Larry, since in this case, it was clear he was the one at fault.

"About what you said this morning ... You're right ... I have to stop doing it and be more serious with one person," said Ruby in a firm tone. Her eyes fixed on me were filled with determination, like a hunter who had already set her target. She took a deep breath and turned her gaze to Emma.

"Your name is Emma, right? I'll admit my defeat. But not next time." Her challenge was clear from the tone of her voice.

"I will not give up what should be mine."

I looked at Ruby sharply.

"Cut it out. If you try to do anything to her, you have to face me," I warned her in a serious tone.

"Don't worry, Ethan. I won't go to her," said Ruby with a smile.

Surprisingly even though it sounded like an obvious lie, I was able to confirm what she said the truth after checking her emotion status with my observation skill.

'Does that mean she's coming straight at me?' I smirked.

'We'll see if you can handle a demon like me.'

Meanwhile, Larry looked at us in confusion

"Defeat what? Do what?" he said with an innocent face. He was the most clueless person among us.

Ruby turned to him and looked at him as if she was ready to break him in half, now, right here.

"And you, my 'Lovely Boyfriend'. I shall give you a 'reward' for this 'beautiful double date'."

Larry gulped hard. A weird awkward smile on his lips and his sweat started appearing on his forehead.

"I-I don't think you need to do this, sweetie." He already realized Ruby would finish him off even though he was still clueless about what was going on.

"Of course I have to." Then Ruby smiled sweetly.

"Now, please finish your food immediately." Even with her gentle gesture, her eyes looked at Larry with intimidation, it was clear she couldn't wait to punish him. Well, I could say anything considering what Larry did to her.

After that, we ate in silence. Larry's face grew paler as his plate was getting empty.

"I think we should hang out some more," said Larry after he paid the bill. I knew he tried to buy time for his punishment.

"It's already 5:23 PM now. Aren't you going to get ready for work?" I asked.

Ruby's hard tap landed on Larry's shoulder.

"Ethan is right. How about I drop you off at your workplace?" Her hand gripped Larry's shoulder tightly.

"Y-You don't have to do this, sweetie," he said with an awkward grin.

And Ruby replied with a murderous smile.

"What are you talking about ---" Her words stopped as vibration came from Larry and Ruby. In an instant their faces turned serious, and so did Emma's.

At the same time, the stinking stench pierced my nose along with an announcement in a red box in front of me.

[!!! Warning !!! ]

[Other Demons detected!]

But I remained calm since I couldn't feel a strong presence like Yuffy or other Demon Generals. Still, this place was very crowded, I had to take care of them as soon as possible, especially closing the crack. Also even though the demons weren't strong, I could feel there were some of them since the stench came from several directions. Besides that, I had to protect my identity from Larry and Ruby.

Ruby quickly opened her duffel bag and took something from there. Her eyes widened in shock, then she turned to Emma and tilted her head slightly, giving her a gesture to follow them. As expected, this was a large-scale attack at least for the demon hunters. That's why Ruby let Emma join them.

"We should go now," said Larry as he got up from his seat.

"Thank you for the dinner, Larry. I also need to go to work after this," I said.

"Where is it?" asked Ruby.

"It's near Nighthallow Station," I replied in a casual tone. I knew she wanted to make sure I was going to the safe place, so I pointed in the opposite direction from the source of the stench.

"That's good," said Larry in relief.

I turned to Emma.

"I'm sorry I couldn't take you home."

"It's fine my ride will come soon," she replied. Emma understood what I wanted to do. But of course, I would keep an eye on them to make sure they were okay.

"Okay, see ya later guys." Then I walked out of the cafe.

Note: The Dinner mini Arc isn't finished yet.