The Incubus System

The Incubus System Chapter 386. Unspeakable Goodbye II

- Tring!

A small bell rang out as I opened the cafe door. This was followed by greetings from the maids.

"Welcome to the Tutty Fruity Maid Cafe, master!" They greeted me with a smile.

But Ruby greeted me with something else.

"Ethan, it's rare to see you here." Her eyes sparkled in happiness.

"I just want to drop by to give you this," I said without further ado. My hand gave her the paper bag.

She accepted it happily and took a peek.

"It's not much. But I hope you can accept it," I said.

Ruby's smile widened. Her hands hugged the paper bag tightly. Luckily, the cafe was still empty.

"Thank you. But why are you suddenly giving me this?"

"Celia bought too many fruits. I don't think we can eat them all. Since you look busy lately, I hope a bit of fruit can help you to take care of your health." The association would be busier after this and my absence would make her panic so I was a bit worried about her. Unfortunately, although I wanted to tell her the truth, I wasn't interested in being locked in the basement either.

"Ah..." She lowered her head slightly to cover her blushed cheek.

"I didn't know you cared so much about me."

Before I could answer, her friends interrupted us.

"Ehem. Could you take a seat and stop making us jealous?" said one of them.

I quickly refused it.

"It's okay. I don't want to bother you for too long."

But Ruby snatched my hand without hesitation.

"What are you talking about? There's no way I'll let you go just like that." Then she led me to an empty seat.

"Are you okay with this?" I asked as we took a seat by the window. Well, it wasn't a problem for me since I still had plenty of time.

"It's fine. The cafe is still empty anyway," she said casually. Her hand placed the bag on the chair beside her.

"Just order what you want. My treat."

"Thank you. I'll order a tea," I said since I wasn't sure I could leave with just a simple refusal.

She looked disappointed.

"Just a tea? How about our omelette rice? Pancake maybe? Or sandwiches? Cakes?" she offered.

"No, thanks. I just had my breakfast."

A disappointed sigh escaped her mouth.

"Too bad..." She raised her hand and waved it to get one of her friends' attention.

"A tea, please."

After her friend answered her with a nod, she returned her gaze to me.

"You just finished your exams, right? What are your plans for this holiday?" she asked curiously.

A humming sound came out of my mouth as I tried to find an excuse. While Ruby was waiting for me in excitement. Somehow, her expression made me want to tease her even more. I glanced at her and smirked.

"That's a secret," I said simply. I couldn't tell the truth.

The smile on her face faded.

"Does that mean you'll be spending time with Emma?" she guessed in a much gloomy tone.

I already guessed this.

"She said she'd be a bit busy during this holiday, so we will spend it separately." At least I didn't want her to bother Emma or torture Larry just to find out where I was. Well, I didn't tell Larry my exact whereabouts, so torturing him wouldn't do any good either.

"Are you going to spend it with Celia?" she guessed again. Her face instantly brightened.

"She will be spending time with the others."

"Or maybe, Larry?" she guessed again.

I shook my head from side to side with a smile.

"Larry also said he'd be busy this holiday."

This time her eyes widened and a smile began to return to her lips.

"Does that mean you invited me to spend this holiday with you?"

Again, I shook my head from side to side. This time with a cringe.

"I know you're busy. I have other plans anyway."

Her smile disappeared, either because of my first sentence or my second sentence.

"Just tell me, I won't bother you."

I chuckled.

"I know you want to do something and stalk me like the past." Even though I said it in a joking tone, what I said was serious.

Ruby pressed her lips, proving what I said was right.

"Just concentrate on your work," I said.

"Your tea," said a maid who put my tea in front of me. And I replied with a simple thank you.

"Can you give me a little hint?" she negotiated.

I was silent for a while as I blew my tea and sipped a little. My brain was looking for the right words.

"It's just a boring repetition thing," I gave a clue. My hand put my cup. Well, EXP grinding was repetition so it wasn't a lie.

She frowned in confusion.

"Repetition thing?"

"That's the hint," I said with a shrug.

"Is it related to some kind of job or responsibility?" she guessed.

"Kinda."

"Are you going to spend your vacation working?" she said in a pitiful gaze.

I just answered her with a slight smile since what she said was kinda true. The upcoming battle was no different from that.

Ruby's hand that was on the table shifted to hold mine.

"Ethan, are you short of money?" she asked worriedly.

"I still have enough of it," I said quickly.

Her gaze turned serious. I could see her anger and worry in it.

"Then... Has anything been bothering you lately?" Her tone changed drastically. I could feel her killing intent from there. I didn't expect that.

"Nah." I decided not to say anything as my mind tried to guess what was up with her.

She leaned her body towards me.

"Really?" she made sure. Her eyes stared at me. Her hand gripped mine tightly as if it was a shackle that was ready to hold me down.

"Ruby, it hurts," I grimaced. Although it didn't hurt me, based on how strong she held my hand, it was enough to make an ordinary person in pain.

"Oh, sorry." She released it in a panic. I pulled it quickly and checked it as a normal person would react.

"What's wrong with you?" I asked. It was the first time she had done this to me. To Ethan to be exact.

"I'm really sorry. Should we see a doctor?" she said in a panic. Her eyes were fixed on my hand.

"I'm fine." I moved my hand in front of her to prove it.

"It's just... Why were you so furious?" I asked curiously. My guess fell to Nathan, but none of us could say it directly.

She pressed her lips again. After a short pause, she finally spoke.

"Something has been bothering me lately... Just promise me to be careful. Wherever you are, don't trust anyone easily," she warned me.

Her warning raised my suspicions that something was going on within the association. This time something related to me but I decided to investigate it after I came back from the Dark Dimension.

"Thanks for reminding me." After I finished my tea and stood up from my seat.

"I need to go now. I told Celia that I would be out for a few minutes. I even didn't take my phone with me."

"Okay..." she said with a heavy heart.

We walked towards the entrance. But just as I was almost out the door, she called my name.

"Ethan."

I turned to her. Unexpectedly, she ran to me and hugged me. I was speechless, as were her friends and all the guests. She was my stalker. She often did a lot of things beyond reason, like trying to take a photo of my dick and waiting for me for hours on a rainy day. But this time... Her embrace felt different.

Shortly, she released her hands.

"Promise me you have to be careful," she warned me once again.

"You too," I said with a faint smile.

As I turned and walked out of the cafe, the look in my eyes changed. I realized she warned me to be careful twice which meant this was something serious. And judging by her attitude... Only one thing crossed my mind, the association was planning to do something to Ethan Strongheart and I could guess it was the senators' orders.

An evil smirk appeared on my lips.

"Wait for me... After I finished with that stupid Incubus Lord, you all are next," I muttered.