"Adam Smith is married and had a single child before his wife died since its birth."

"Ugh, really?" I complained as I stretch my limbs out. "How am I supposed to know his child? I don't know him, his presence is sealed, much like his informations."

"M'lady, we're here. Please try to relax a bit." Sebastian stopped the car. I saw my school by the window.

Relax, huh... How am I supposed to relax when I'm with a delinquent, angel that acts like a devil, a faker, and Cervi?

I sighed as I open the door and exit the car. I ran straight to the gate, dashing to the classroom and drop my things there. Afterwards, I walked towards the cafeteria. I immediately saw my group there and hesitantly join them.

They were silent, surprised that I made it in lunch break. I was silent too. I couldn't believe that I will once again join this group. I wanted to go to school and now what? I don't know what to say...

"So Celeste, how are you? Why were you absent this morning?" Joan started as she clears her throat.

"I overslept...and just woke up." I simply explained.

All of them sighed in relief and laughed. I looked at them with a weak smile and they noticed it immediately.

"What happened?" They all asked simultaneously, with eyes glinting with hope.

"Ah, nothing. You see, I just bumped into Adam earlier and I talked to him about this poison. I wanted a cure so he just gave me this file as an answer. Currently, I couldn't solve it yet. But there's a clue right there in the lower left corner!" I placed the file in the middle of the table and they all leaned towards it.

"Adam Smith is married and had a single child before his wife died since its birth." They all repeated.

"That's right. Adam Smith is a father and I want to find his child and take him as hostage." I took the file again and kept it in my shirt.

"I'll help you find him." Joan quickly volunteered.

"No offense, Missy, but who is Adam Smith and what's this poison you're talking about?" Kanae asked, rocking his chair back and forth.

"Oh right. I haven't discussed about it, right? The poison in me is lethal to demons but harmless to humans. It's only disguised as a fever so nobody will take it seriously. It will also slowly torture my body. That slow torture is the reason why there is currently no cure. If it will kill me quickly, there is a cure that waits for me and it will not be worth it if I don't suffer for him. His mother is a demon and his father is a human. Apparently, the culprit of The Case of the Murders of 666 Demons (TCM666D) is said to be my father, and believing that, Adam Smith tries to avenge his mother by killing me."

"Oh I see. Then, I'll also help you." Kanae immediately answered, still rocking his chair back and forth.

"You didn't listen, did you?!"

"I listened. I listened to a lot more informations than I should've, actually." He said, finally putting the chair back to its place. "Besides, no one tortures you but me." He announced with a menacing glare.

I shuddered by that thought and backed away, to the farthest edge of the table.

"Don't take advantage of your familiar!" I shouted desperately. "It's like I want to be tortured by someone else than you."

Joan hits him on the back of his head because she's close to him. Joan is seated across an empty chair. She sits close to Kanae and Cervi, Kanae on the opposite side and Cervi beside me. Of course, that leaves me nothing but sitting across Zan, beside Kanae.

"Don't joke with her like that. She'll take it seriously, knowing how you torture her. And yes, she does want to be tortured by someone else rather than you. Good job breaking it, hero."

"I was joking!" Kanae complained, holding the back of his head.

"Well, it isn't a joke for her." She coolly retorted.

Kanae looked at me with pity. I emotionlessly stared at him back. He turned away, embarrassed. "I'm sorry." He whispered.

That whisper was enough for us to all hear it except Cervi, who has normal human senses.

We all smiled. When I smiled, I don't know why but it quickly reminded me of Zan so I glanced at him. I saw a glimpse of him genuinely having fun. It reminded me of his facade and immediately shut myself up, biting my lower lip to stop myself from laughing.

When Zan noticed this, he also stopped and hung his head.

Naturally, the angel and the superhuman human notices this. Even the most normal of normal notices this. They all looked at us with blank faces.

"You're still going at it?" Asked the angel.

"You're not getting over it?" Asked the superhuman human.

"What happened?" Asked the most normal of normal.

Neither of us could reply to the questions brought upon us. We could not think what we should say.

It's either the poison reaching my brain that I couldn't think or it's another excuse of my emotions. Either way, I'm still hurt. The truth behind the Zante Lino I know...is the truth that I regretted being curious about.

"You know, why don't you just talk one on one. I'm sure everyone has some other perspectives of what happened, even if I myself don't know what happened. I'm sure that that other person has some reasons why they acted like that." Cervi casually says as he consumes his portion of food.

We all looked at him in awe, staring, because such a normal human can have this kind of mental state. Even if he has little knowledge, he can talk like he has a lot. I was amazed at this discovery.

I opened my mouth as to say something but quickly shut it. After a few moments of staring at Cervi (and now he became uncomfortable), I took a deep breath first before finally replying. "You're right." I whispered under my breath.

Why does a person like me doesn't know an answer to a simple problem?

"Meet me in Borg's Café at dismissal." I invited. He hesitantly nodded in reply.

•

Dismissal.

I took my school things and headed to my locker. Once I did, two notes fell out. I was initially going to throw them out because my rule of the locker is "if there's a foreign object in my locker, dispose of it quickly." But before I could even pick it up, I sensed a lot of emotions coming from it.

I picked one and unfolded it with ease.

"Dear Celeste,
          Celeste or Miss Auden, I adore you so much. I feel butterflies in my stomach and whenever I see you, my chest feels very tight, so tight that my hearts skips a beat. I know for sure that you are the one for me. It's love at first sight.

          I love you, Miss Auden. I have watched you in the distance. The way you always hang out with Joanna Himbocole, the rich transferee, Kanae Baade, the suspended delinquent, Zante Lino, the class clown, and Cervi Robinson, the only sane transferee that somehow is your friend. I know your secrets, Miss Auden. All of them. If you want to know more, please meet me at the rooftop tomorrow morning, the time that you go to school.
                                    Love,
                         Your Secret Admirer"

I read silently. I don't care if he's a secret admirer or not, a stalker or not, or a possible psychopath or not, but one specific detail caught my attention.

What the heck does "love at first sight" mean?!

Well, since I'm not doing anything tomorrow morning, I guess I'll just have to comply. I crumbled the paper and shoved it in my pocket before opening the second one.

In there, there are several pictures of me with Kanae or Zan, just the two of us. In those pictures, however, I am scratched out with red crayon, marked as a big red X imprinted on my face.

There is also a small paper inside so I peeked out and unfolded it.

"DON'T GO NEAR EITHER OF THEM." It says, complete with all capital letters and bold letters to further shove the warning in my brain.

There is no name written in the note so I just ignored it, crumpled the small paper and shoved it in my bag while I place the pictures in the furthest back wall of my locker.

I then dashed off outside and hopped in my car.

"Sebastian, I need to go to Borg's Café."

"Yes, M'lady." He obediently replied, stepping on the gas pedal.

•

Several minutes later, we reached Borg's Café. I quickly got out of the car and went inside.

I sat down on the seat next to the window. It reminded me of that event with Kanae...

The waiter handed me the menu. I examined it. "Rose Wine, large glass. That's all. Maybe later, I'll order again so don't take the menu. Ok?" The waiter politely-- wait, I know him! "Ah, the 30 year old waiter. Do you get my request?"

"Yes." He obediently bowed and rushed off.

Waiting for a good few minutes, I saw my guest approach me and sat across me. We were both silent, avoiding eye contact with our best.

"So, hey. Thanks for the invite." He started. I think the silence also kills him.

"I wanted to have a clear chat with you." I replied, still staring out the window to avoid eye contact.

"Then, I shall start." Zan cleared his throat. "Don't misunderstand. Since that incident where I freaked out because Delon was a demon, and you told me to keep your secret, I hugged you to assure you right? And...when you hugged me back... I started to realize that these feelings are genuine..."

"How so?" I bluntly asked.

"You can't find words to describe love. You just know in your heart that you love someone." He stood up from his seat. I assumed that he will walk out right away. He already managed to clear his name as the suspect though. I don't blame him anymore because of his words.

Instead of just walking away, he first gently rubs my head and lightly...kissed it... "I love you, Celeste. This is no joke." He announced, albeit whispering that only I can hear.

With those words leaving an imprint in my mind, I stared blankly for a good 10 minutes before the waiter snapped me back to reality by slamming the large glass wine on the table.

"Do you need anything else?" The waiter asked with a wide fake forced smile, obviously pissed off... Probably because I spaced out for 7 minutes after he already served my drink and repeatedly asked me if I need anything else.

"Ah, no. Thank you." I finally replied.

He took the menu and was walking away when he abruptly stopped and turned around. "You know, stop thinking about yourself and consider others once in a while. If you know the feeling of seeing others smile, it will be the equivalent feeling of making yourself smile." He then turned and walked away completely out of my sight.

I thought about the waiter's wise words and felt like it's relevant to what my situation currently is. I should consider others first before jumping to any conclusions, I guess.

I emptied the large glass' contents and slammed it on the table, paid, then headed off.

•

Tuesday. Morning. Before Class.

I walked to the locker, took my things, and to our classroom. I held my chin high. I think I'm forgetting something...

The ticket to my memory had fallen off my pocket. I took the note and unfolded it. Oh yeah, I'm going to meet someone at the rooftop! I pounded my fist on my palm as I remember.

I ran to the rooftop. I saw it empty...except for a delinquent-looking guy in the farthest of my sight. I paused, trying to identify the guy. I put all my focus to that guy and my senses are halfway blocked so I didn't sense the two guys by the door sooner as they closed the door behind me, the only door acting as the only exit and entrance there is.

Now I have no escape.

And the delinquent slowly walks to me with a threatening appearance...

------

Joan, Kanae, Cervi and Zan all shuddered.

"I suddenly felt a chill run down my spine." They all thought.

Seeing that all of them shuddered without any clear explanation, they glanced at one another, who also has the same expression.

They looked around the classroom and faced one another again, with the same question.

"Where's Celeste?"

Another classmate came. Thinking it was Celeste, they all sighed in relief when they saw the human figure in a shadow.

Turns out, it was only Jack, the famous baseball player in their school. He excels in baseball and physical education. In other subjects however, he doesn't. He's also the school bully, another trait that he excels in.

They all glared at him as he entered and reached their line of sight. All with a disgusting look. Except for Cervi, who remained calm despite the problems.

"What's with those glares, huh?! You lookin' for a fight?!" He asked as he dashed towards Zan and twisted his collar.

Zan continued to glare, not flinching, even though he's in the air. Kanae stepped in and held Jack's shoulder.

"Excuse me, but I think you should let go now." He said with a threatening glare, same as Zan.

"What, you too?! Are you--?!" Before Jack could finish, Kanae immediately grabbed his mouth and pound his head on the wall with only one hand, dropping Zan on the process.

Not long afterwards, Jack's minions-- friends came in. When they all saw Jack's body at their feet, they immediately tried to attack Kanae and Zan, who are getting ready for the fight. Kanae knows that he's too weak to beat the 5 of them, all at once. Those 5 are strong, of course, and tall. It looks like they can beat him in a pulp if they got serious, and now is the time.

On the other hand, Zan doesn't seem to care much since he already almost killed a general if only he had been more alert and smarter. But when he's in a pinch, he knows he can count on Kanae.

As the 5 companions of Jack started storming in, and the two boys already ready for a fight (albeit Kanae reluctantly), Joan jumped in. The 5 abruptly stopped, and so they bumped into each other and created a chain reaction, until they were all on the ground.

Cervi merely watched in awe as his friends beat down a group who obviously seems stronger than them. Only, his friends are smarter than them...

"Come on, we need to find Celeste." Joan stated as she turned around to face Kanae and Zan. "You come too, Cervi." She said as she faced him.

The three boys looked at one another and nodded.

It's time that this group started to be serious... After all, the possibilities that Celeste is hurt is from 10-100%, seeing that she's rich and almost everyone tries to bully her.

The four ran out the classroom. They dispersed as they reached the hall.

Cervi went inside the Science Lab, Zan entertains the other students and asks them if they saw Celeste, Kanae hides in the shadows and stalks other people he finds suspicious to track Celeste down, and Joan casually walks starting from the first floor.

•

Break time.

The four decided to hold a meeting at the cafeteria. One by one, they told how they managed to do their jobs.

"I'm almost complete in my poison!" Cervi started.

"Anna told me that she saw Celeste going up the rooftop but she didn't ask why because she's scared of her." Zan stated next.

"Can't blame her though." Kanae commented. He wasn't scared of Celeste or anything, but he does see other people being afraid of her. "But I may know why. One of the girls stated that she loves Christian but he loves someone else. I thought I can stalk Christian's gang a bit and they laughed stating that he went to the rooftop too, with two other guys with him."

"Another rival?" Zan asked.

"Not really. By listening to the guys' conversations, it's like he hates Celeste. I don't know who he likes though." Kanae answered.

Joan cleared her throat as to say something. She caught their attention in no time. "I heard Anna cursing under her breath, saying my name..."

The other three looked at her and smiled.

"I guess we have a plan." Kanae and Zan stared at her with glinting eyes as they stated. Joan sighed.

•

Lunchtime.

Joan went to Christian's classroom, holding nothing but bread. She acts shy, fidgeting as she walks slowly towards him.

"I uhh...uhh... I... This is nothing but...please accept this bread." Joan handed the bread to him.

Christian's face is flushed with different shades of red. He accepted the bread with trembling hands. "Th-thank you." He whispered.

Joan ran away afterwards. There, she met Kanae and Zan who were waiting for her.

"So? How did it go?" Kanae asked with a smirk.

"Acting is difficult!" Joan answered, slumping her shoulders. "But beating the other two guys is a piece of cake for you, right?"

"Of course." The two answered simultaneously and cheerfully with a wide grin.

Soon, they heard satisfying noises of painful shrieks echoing in the classroom. The two boys headed there. They saw two guys accompanying Christian, who passed out.

"Where's the girl?" Kanae asked with a threatening look on his face.

"W-we're not supposed to tell anyone!" One guy answered, albeit trembling and cowering in fear.

"We're not even involved! W-were only blocking the e--"

Before the second guy could finish, Kanae kneed him. The guy doubled over because of the pain.

"You are still involved if you know what we're talking about. You couldn't take the responsibility, could you?" Kanae continued to glare.

The first guy ran up to the second guy and tried to shield him. Kanae didn't care much and also kneed the first guy.

"Sh-she's nowhere to be found..." The first guy, who is now doubling over with the second guy, managed to choke out with little strength that he has left.

Kanae widened his eyes and continuously kick the first guy until he starts to bleed and form bruises. He doesn't want to kill him. He will if he could, but now is not the time.

"Hey, Lino, help me out here, will ya?" Kanae cocked his head to the side as he faced Zan. "What are you doing anyway?"

"I'm searching for clues." Zan answered without facing Kanae.

"Clues, huh..." Kanae stared into the ceiling, thinking about the statement.

"Damn it, I couldn't find anything! They cleaned it well!" Zan cursed as he kicked a chair. As the chair moved, an empty sack fell from a blind spot. Zan picked it up and examined it carefully.

"What do you have there?" Kanae asked as he slowly walk towards him.

"Here, look at this." Zan slipped out an unlocked iPhone 4 out of the sack and handed it to Kanae. The screen displays a picture which greatly shocks the two of them.

"Star..." He whispered. "Hurry up, Lino! We're going to stalk that bitch." He grabbed Zan's arm with one hand as he put the phone inside his pocket with the other.

"I don't think Joan needs stalking."

"Not that bitch! Stop joking!" Kanae smacks his head for saying a stupid joke.

"Alright, alright. Just tell me all the details."

•

Dismissal.

"Sorry, Kanae. I'll have to take care of Palatino first. I'll catch you up later when I can." Zan pats Kanae's shoulder.

"Ok." He shortly replied.

Zan ran away, leaving Kanae all alone. The latter smirked, following what he thinks is the culprit, judging by the photo that he saw in the phone.

Christian starts to slowly stand back at his feet, but still needs company and aid. Cervi held back his hidden anger into making the poison inside the bread that Joan handed to Christian.

It was terrifying to see that Cervi is actually smiling while making the poison.

Speaking of Cervi, where might he be?

•

In a limo where Veronica rides on, in contrast with Celeste's Rolls-Royce car, is a driver that can drive to the Star residence.

Veronica wears her usual sunglasses and snaps her fingers, signaling the driver to step on the gas pedal while she rests on the backseat.

Little does she know that the driver she once knew...is tied up and put to sleep with a certain poison that Cervi made. The new driver however, is only 14 years old and have no permission and license to drive a car. Still, he had experiences, and also, it was an emergency.

•

They reached the Star residence without the limo being damaged. It was a joyful thing for the underaged driver but of course, it's not displayed publicly.

Upon feeling the sudden stop of the limo, Veronica took off her sunglasses and looked around. Then, she casually walks out like nothing caught her attention. After all, Veronica Star is who we're talking about here. She doesn't care about anyone else but herself so this is quite the usual thing for her.

Once she's inside, Kanae followed. He realized how poor Veronica is. She spent most of her money for the rich-looking limo, and the latest gadgets. Seeing the house's ceiling almost falling off, it occurred to him that Celeste is somewhere dangerous.

He went to what seems like a basement. It was the nearest one that looks like a basement.

The door creaked open, revealing....something shocking to Kanae. He was so shocked that he was frozen in place, trembling in fear.

------

When they put me in the sack, they started beating me up. I was holding myself back. I will kill them if I could. But knowing the circumstances, I'd rather not to.

They stopped once they realized that they can't extract any informations from me. I was covered in bruises and blood, but I know that it will heal once I get home or even before that.

As beating in the sack doesn't seem enough for them, they dragged me away. My ass hurts from the stairs as they drag me.

I don't know where they took me but I know that it smells bad, feels bad, and looks bad.

They pulled me away from the sack. One guy took a picture. Christian was posing while I was silently cursing, hanging my head to make it look like I was being overpowered. The guy with the phone laughs as he took more.

When we are finished, the guy's phone suddenly slipped and fell into another sack. So they brought two, huh.

"You idiot!" Christian smacks the guy's head. "If that thing ever falls to the main sack, you'll regret it!"

The guy panicked and tied the sack, holding it close to his chest.

"Come on, we don't have everyday here. Back in the sack you go, bitch!" The other guy shoved me back in, forcibly kicking me inside.

I didn't particularly care. It felt like they're poking me with a stick. And it was easy to comply so I followed his orders without any second thoughts like an obedient young woman I am (not really).

Then they dragged me away. I felt like they're shoving me inside a vehicle, but I can't point it out since my vision is limited. But I'm so thankful and glad that I still get to breathe inside this sack.

After what seemed like hours, we finally reached a stop. I think we finally reached our destination. I would estimate that for... 2 class periods.

"Ok, we're here now." Christian stated as the vehicle stopped. I cannot be sure if he's the one driving or someone else. One of the guys that accompanies him, maybe. I don't care about their names but the two seems to be in their twenties so possibly, it's one of them. "Take the girl. We're going to the basement."

I felt a strong tug of the sack, carrying me, then back to dragging me again.

Afterwards, they turned the sack upside down. I fell down on my butt and turned to them.

The room looks like a big old broken chicken coop. A chicken coop that has the same size as a room. Probably the bathroom.

"Stay there, shut your mouth and don't do anything. You can sleep if you want." Christian says as he and his companions exited the chicken coop room.

That's ok. I can still eat the souls from my black hole.

For several hours that I lost count, I was trapped inside the chicken coop room with nothing but a black hole with souls inside.

My strength drastically decrease each day, and this day doesn't seem like a good day. I can't use my abilities that much. My mother used to tell me that my abilities as a Princess of Demons are so terrifying that once I use it in its full power, I might tear up the whole Underground. Since then, never did I use my abilities to such an extent. It still terrifies me even to this day. But now, I wonder how strong I am right now in this condition. And I'm scared to put it in the test.

When I was thinking about my strength and abilities, I sighed, exasperated. I turned away from the window, which I made it into a TV. I stared at it for hours as I look for entertainment. However, the only entertainment I see is a forest outside with noisy insects. There are times where there are insects that landed on the window screen and then flew off immediately when I tap the window.

Once I turned away, I was surprised to see Cervi standing by the doorway with a worried expression.

I ran to him but he collapsed before I could even have contact with him. I felt his warm sweaty body stick to mine as he fell in my bosom. Naturally, I couldn't handle his weight so I dropped down to my knees and let him rest his head on my lap.

After some minutes, I felt his body cooling down a bit. I was relieved to know that so I subconsciously smiled. Cervi's eyes slowly open up. "Celeste...?" He whispered out.

I tilted my head to the side, the smile isn't fading away. That acts even as a reply.

"I'm glad you're safe." He smiled in relief before closing his eyes again. "I can feel your weak body. I brought the cure to your possible poison." He says as he's still closing his eyes. He stayed in that position for a little while before he sits up and presented a small circular white blank tablet and a...carafe?!

"Why did you bring a carafe with...red wine?" I asked as I took the carafe out of his hands and sipped a little. "With vodka?"

"Here, swallow this tablet with that wine. Don't chew it, ok?" He handed the tablet to me.

I glanced at it for a few seconds before I chugged the tablet down with the wine as he said. Suddenly, I feel dizzy. It wasn't because I am drunk. I know the feeling differs. This one however, feels like the world is spinning in circles and my head couldn't keep up, resulting in severe headache that only a long nice sleep can cure.

I didn't even finish the whole carafe and I already passed out. I haven't felt like my body is very heavy before. I can keep up with my liquor very well because I drink a lot of it while in Hell (blood), and I'm the (foster) daughter of the owner of the famous and successful winery.

So why? What was in that tablet?

------

"Cer...vi...? Why...?" Kanae asked, still trembling in fear as he saw Celeste's lifeless body laying on the ground with Cervi sitting next to it, holding up a carafe of her blood...or so he thinks.

"Hm? Oh, sorry. I didn't tell you." Cervi casually walked up to him, leaving the carafe next to Celeste. "I sensed her presence so I followed." He whispered. His eyes glowed red for a second. Kanae blinks and his eyes returned to normal.

"Huh... ?" Kanae backed away with eyes widened and head filled with questions.

"I brought the medicine for Celeste's poison so she'll heal, duh." Cervi chuckled as he cocked his head to the side.

"Poison? What poison?" Kanae stopped and walked towards Cervi with a step.

"I sensed her strength decreasing, as well as her body slowly, and I mean very slowly, decomposing inside. I don't like the look on her face while she's under the influence of the poison..."

"Since when did you--?"

"It doesn't matter, does it? I'll explain the details tomorrow. The reason why you came was to see Celeste, right? Carry her and bring her to her house. I'll follow behind." Cervi bravely stated as he took the carafe and exited by the window.

Kanae just stared into the weirdness he stepped into in the wrong time. The short, calm, composed, and mundane Cervi, is now the witty, threatening, and brave Cervi.

As Kanae carried Celeste piggy-back, he kept thinking about Cervi's sudden change of personality. It doesn't seem like it's a split personality nor it was some kind of disorder like schizophrenia. It felt like it was in his background, it was only natural for him to switch into that kind of personality once he's serious.

Kanae was able to escape without being spotted by Veronica. It was hard though since her house is small.

But at last, they escaped safely. Thinking that this is all Veronica's fault, he took the limo. He kicked the driver to the backseat and laid Celeste on the shotgun seat. As he drives, Kanae has become more cautious than usual.

Until they reached the Auden residence. This time, since it's near and the people there are not a threat to him, Kanae carries Celeste bridal style since it's easier.

The guard immediately went on guard as they saw Celeste's unconscious body. Of course, Kanae's wits are quick as he quickly thought of a scene where it's convincing to them.

"I saw her pass out in school. Probably because of her fever. I'm here to return her here."

The two guards looked at each other and nodded. It was obvious to see that Celeste's poison, disguised as a fever, since every human knows what a fever is and what its symptoms are.

They let Kanae inside the house, which surprises him.

"Thank you for watching our young miss while out of the house. Please continue and carry her to her room. Please ask the maids inside for directions." One guard said as he bows his head.

Kanae nodded and went inside. He remembers Celeste's room like it's in the back of his hand. All the maids stared at him in awe as he walks in a straight path leading to her room. The maids actually made way for him, which surprises him even more.

He walked in a straight forward path until the 1st set of stairs and moved to the left and climbed up the 2nd set and continued to walk left until he reaches a room. To be sure, he opens up all the doors. He also remembers the design of her room like it was the back of his hand.

When he finally found it, he laid her down on her bed and pulled up the sheets. He took out his phone and called for Zan while standing nearby Celeste.

"Sorry for not letting you join." He started as soon as Zan picked up.

"That's ok. That means more time to teach Palatino about his homework." Zan assured.

"She's alright now though. She's currently resting at her bed."

"That's good to hear."

Kanae immediately hung up right after he told Zan what he wants to and fled away from the Celeste's room via the window (like usually), still thinking deeply about Cervi's personality.