Dark and his group had a sudden mission that day so they left the sanctuary earlier.
The mission was about a serial killer known as the "Blonde Hunter".
The "Blonde Hunter", as the name implies, only hunts blonde people. Both man and woman to play with. The killer wasn't choosy.
The police force discovered the victims' bodies thanks to reports from residents in several areas around Cities A and B. Without these concerned citizens notifying the authorities after finding several of the killer's victims, the police might not have realized that a series of murders was occurring.
The discovery shocked and angered the community, as each body was severely battered and almost unrecognizable. After numerous autopsies conducted, investigators found that the victims had both small and large burn marks, lacerations, bruises, and signs of severe abuse to their lower body.
Those were all done for both man and woman victims by the killer. No exception.
So inhumane!!!
Because the police force had a hard time gathering clues and finding information about the serial killer, one of the family's victims hired them, Dark Reaper, with a promise of a big reward.
The family in question is one of the most well-known in City A. Although the victim was only part of a side branch, the incident had a significant impact on the family's main branch. That's why they wanted the killer to be identified and executed, both to protect their reputation and to prevent people from accusing them of neglecting members of their extended family.
Thus, after gathering enough information and finalizing their plan, Dark and his people came back only to face the delicious aroma that was coming from the kitchen. Instantly, their mouths watered.
When they reached the kitchen—drawn in by the delicious aroma coming from it—the sight of the food laid out on the table immediately captured their attention. The dishes were incredibly enticing. Beside the table, they spotted Rami, chewing nonstop, his cheeks puffed out and slightly blushing from excitement and joy.
"How adorable!" all of them unknowingly thought.
When Rami finally turned around, his reaction made their hearts melt— even Amethyst, who still held some prejudice against him, couldn't help but feel the same warmth.
'Just how cute is he?' they wondered.
Seeing that Rami remained frozen in place, his expression unchanged as if he were stunned, Ryuzaki cleared his throat. He walked over to him, hoping to snap him out of it.
Noticing a small smudge of grease at the corner of Rami's mouth, Ryuzaki pulled out a tissue and gently wiped it away.
"Just look at you. You're eating like a baby." Ryuzaki teased playfully.
Rami only smiled shyly in response, unaware—just like Ryuzaki—of the subtle shift in Dark's expression as he watched them quietly from the side.
Watching Ryuzaki and Rami's interaction, Dark feels irritated. His instincts urge him to pull Ryuzaki away from Rami but his rational side stopped him from doing so.
These past few days, even though he was always not around and acted as if he didn't care, he always knew what was going on within his territory. So from the very start, he knew what Rami was doing since he lived with them.
As Dark continued to observe him, he realized that Rami constantly drew his attention. Every little action, every reaction, every expression—Dark noticed them all. This feeling left him unusually on edge these days.
He didn't know what to make of it. This was the first time anyone had ever managed to captivate him like this.
Sensing a stare, Rami turned in Dark's direction and caught him in the act.
In that instant, when their eyes met, Dark saw Rami blush—his already adorable face turning an even deeper shade of red.
Dark's heart skipped, then quickened, but he ignored the strange flutter in his chest. Trying to appear composed, he walked over to the table and took his seat.
"What do we have here?" with a calm facade, Dark asked Rami.
"I cooked some snacks. If you'd like to try some, please feel free." Rami stuttered.
Frowning at the way Rami answered him, Dark suddenly felt unfair.
"Hmm." Dark hummed plainly, then silently reached for one of the shawarmas with one hand.
Dark took a slow bite, chewing slowly without a word nor showing any expression.
'This is good.' Dark commenced silently while chewing.
"Sit down and eat." Dark ordered the others, his usual cold expression making them flinch unconsciously as they obeyed.
'What the hell happened? Who angered the boss?' They all silently exclaimed.
Rami, who had been standing there quietly, waiting for even the smallest praise from Dark, slightly clenched his hand. The sauce from the shawarma he was still holding began to drip onto his fingers. He bowed his head a little, trying to hide his expression.
Dark's indifference pierced his heart once again. He loved cooking, and all he ever wanted was for the people who tasted his food to enjoy and love them.
Avery, noticing his reaction, approached him.
"Hey, what did you cook? They looked yummy." Avery said to Rami while she patted his back.
This surprised Rami because he didn't notice Avery approaching him. He was so absorbed in feeling so dejected.
'I didn't even notice her approaching! This keeps happening lately. Do I need to stay away from my Dark for a while?' Rami wondered.
He glanced toward Dark's direction but quickly shifted his gaze back to Avery.
Remembering what Avery asked, Rami smiled towards her.
"I cook some Chicken shawarma and Crispy Cheesy Potato stack for the main course. I also made a Mango Smoothie for refreshment." Rami answered Avery.
This is the very first time that he cooked for someone aside from his family.
He felt incredibly shy, yet deeply hopeful because he wanted to hear— especially coming from Dark— them praise the food. Hearing them say it was so good and delicious, that they loved every bit of it.
"Sounds nice." Exclaimed Avery.
"Come on, let's eat." Avery continued. She pulled Rami into the table for them to sit.
"HEY!! LEAVE US SOME!! DON'T EAT IT ALL!! Shame on you, you won't even gonna leave some to the one who cooked that!!" Avery shouted when she saw her friends who were now gorging at the food.
"Come on, do we look that shameful? Of course, I will save some for Rami." Ryuzaki retorted while pushing a plate towards them.
"I thought you won't eat." Garrette, one of the people who Rami didn't recognize said.
"What the---glutton." Avery retorted.
"Come on, just sit down and eat," Luca said to Avery, handing her a shawarma. She accepted it with a quiet thank-you, unable to stop herself from taking a bite right away.
Tasting it, Avery's eyes widened.
"Damn! This is so good!!" Avery exclaimed towards Rami.
Wanting to taste the other dish, Avery snatched a Potato Stack from Elijah who was about to put it into his mouth earning a complaint. Not minding his whines, she eats it quickly.
As expected, it's delicious too.
All of them grab and fight for the last one not wanting to be outdone and eat less than the other.
'Hey, my food!!' Rami complained silently upon seeing the generous amount of food but now they are gradually disappearing. Rubbing his tummy who is not yet full.
'So embarrassing, are they still the ones whom I know before?' Dark exclaimed silently, his face darkened, as he watched the others eating like there's no tomorrow.
While Rami is still internally complaining since he was not yet full, he is suddenly startled when he sees a hand which was holding a plate with food on it. He looked at the owner of the hand. He saw Dark.
Not knowing what to do, Rami just looked at Dark.
"Come on, take it." Dark said softly, persuading Rami.
Reaching to receive the plate, Rami gave Dark his sweetest smile.
"Thank you." Rami whispered.
Can't wait any longer if Dark liked what he cooked.
"Did you perhaps like them?" Rami boldly asks hopefully to Dark.
Dark, not wanting to disappoint Rami. Add to that the fact that he truly likes them. He unconsciously reached a hand and ruffled Rami's hair.
"Yes, I liked them. You're a good cook." Dark praised.
Not expecting the complement and sudden gesture.
Rami blushed again.
His heart beats faster.
"Then would you like for me to cook for you again?" with a shy smile, Rami offered immediately to Dark while he brought his hand towards his chest.
"Yes, why not, if you'd like to." Dark answered Rami, he seemed content.
"Great!!" Rami exclaimed while jumping to his feet in excitement at the thought of finally showing his skills to Dark—his beloved.
But because he stood up so suddenly, he lost his balance and began to fall.
Rami squeezed his eyes shut, bracing himself for the hard impact with the floor—only to feel a strong arm catch him before he could hit the ground.
'Wait—-- deja vu?' still eyes closed, Rami exclaimed internally.
He felt like he experienced this already with the same arms and all.
"Are you okay?" asked the person who caught him.
Rami froze—it was Dark.
Startled, he instinctively tried to pull away out of embarrassment. But Dark held him firmly to keep him from falling, and in the process, Dark himself lost balance. They both toppled to the ground, Rami landing on top of a warm, solid body.
But something felt off. Rami's lips were pressed against something soft—- and strangely sweet.
Opening his eyes, Rami realized the horrifying truth.
He had fallen directly onto Dark— his lips on Dark's lips.
'Fuck!! I'm doomed!!!'