Leon doesn't wait for a response as he starts moving. But he does feel her follow in hurried steps. Knocking once, he enters with Lily beside him, and he couldn't see the shock on her face as he shuts the door.
After bowing, he quietly excuses himself to the back, unaware of the angel's gaze that stayed on him. Despite Lance's time entertaining the angel with the menu and other services, the angel doesn't look away and continues to watch the demon.
Lance felt a growing uneasiness in the pit of his stomach, and no matter how much he was clearing his throat for the Angel's attention, it was futile.
Leon, however, managed to stay dense and kept fixing the positions of the candles before lighting one up. Nodding proudly at his work, he felt a firm grip on his arm pulling him up to straighten his back.
"Leon, I think you should refrain from coming here." It was the first thing that Lance told him as soon as the door shut.
Without even further explanation, the said demon couldn't help but look at him strangely. Even Lily, who was left inside, quickly followed outside, her eyes shaking nervously.
"What happened? Why did you two suddenly leave?" Lily had to glance at the door as she knit her eyebrows.
"It's just..." Lance tells him, but doesn't look at her as he keeps his eyes on his friend, "Leon, that person is strange."
"He is?" Leon blinks.
"Leon, I'm being serious." Even the grip around his shoulder was strong.
"Maybe..." Lily mutters, catching Leon's attention. "He's still bothered by that time? We did recklessly wander around, maybe we should apologize?"
"Are you insane?" Leon was flabbergasted.
"You two made trouble?" Lance asks Lily, his expression changing anxiously.
"Just a little," Lily informs him while lifting two fingers to show. "Though it was unintentional."
"Unintentional? Who provoked first? Certainly not me."
"Hush now," Lily sighs while staring at the door, "Why do you think he's here?"
"Perhaps a change of scenery? For the food? Anything is a possible answer."
"What if he's here to seek us out for causing a ruckus?"
"Then that would be rather petty, is it not?" Leon never liked prolonging problems, and since Lily was making it sound like it was, he sighed in defeat while waving his hand, "Fine, fine, alright, alright. I'll handle this."
"You would?" Both Lily and Lance asked in unison.
Was he that unreliable? Leon rolled his eyes at them and wanted to brush Lance's hands off. But his grip tightened, causing him to look back at his friend and catch his worried expression.
Seeing such a vulnerable look on his face, Leon chuckled. "It will be done before his food arrives, I'll assure you that."
"But I haven't even gone to the chefs yet."
"Then it's best if you do."
Lance hesitated, but he knew clearly how Leon would be disappointed if he didn't listen to him.
"Thank you," Leon smiles as Lance withdraws his hands to comply.
"I'll be back soon," Lance tells him as he turns around to leave the siblings by the door. It's rare to see him this tense. And that worries Leon as he places a hand over his shoulder where he was held.
"Leon..." Lily takes hold of his sleeve, her eyes anxious, "Are we in trouble?"
"I highly doubt it..." Leon hums while placing a finger under his chin.
Since they had no reason to, celestial beings never visited the infernal realm for years. Their presence now was quite alarming to see, so it was only normal for Lance and Lily to react this way.
"Stay here," Leon tells her as he faces the door with a serious look.
Lifting his slender fingers to the door, he slides it open to step inside.
He caught the scent of irises with soft lily notes, which immediately calmed his nerves. However, as he looks up, piercing eyes already find him effortlessly. No words were exchanged, but a simple nod sufficed.
"I know we get off on the wrong foot," Leon starts while closing the door behind him, "And it might be too late for introductions, Im Leon, the owner of this teahouse."
Stopping across the latter, Leon bears a gentle smile while taking a seat.
But he was met with silence.
Leon wasn't used to this kind of awkwardness, but he was determined to make a decent conversation in this.
"We are delighted that we are receiving the celestial beings' time and gracing us with their presence at our humble establishment." He said while leaning back and crossing his arms together, "I'm just curious to know if there's an occasion of some sort?"
Time in the room seemed to be at a standstill. Just like last night, they couldn't help but stare.
"Are infernal beings this sarcastic?" The angel finally spoke, the tone of his voice the same as before.
Leon scoffs at his brazen attitude, "Depends, actually, don't make yourself too special."
The Angel lifts the corner of his lips, curving a grin. "Likewise then."
Leon tilted his head to the side, "Why would an important figure have breakfast on this side? To my understanding, angels have sensitive palettes."
"How can you say that I'm an important figure without me even introducing myself?"
"Booking a private room," Leon points out, "And you came in after the other angels surveyed the area..."
Seems like his answer amused the angel, "I'm here for someone..."
Leon raises a brow, but the angel continues, "Someone I'm not sure is willing to come with me..."
There was someone like that inside the teahouse? He wonders until he realizes something strange.
"Careful there, handsome," Leon hums, drumming his finger against his arm, "My sister and I might have messed up. But we never meant to harm anyone there. And I am willing to come voluntarily to settle some arrangements if any of my actions have offended you..."
"Oh..." The angel blinked at him as if his words were new to his ears. But Leon could sense a small mockery in his tone that immediately made his brows knot together. "Last night was a trivial thing. Less of importance, to be frank."
"Then excuse me for assuming that."
"Is that all?"
After years of working in the teahouse, Leon would have brushed this kind of attitude like it was nothing. But seeing the smug look on that beautiful face made him want to rebuke back. However, the knock on the door halts their conversation as both of them move their attention to the door by the side.
Staying in the private room, the service was extremely good as the guests were served with punctuality and were often prioritized. And as soon as the door opened, the girls didn't expect Leon to be there with the guest.
However, they know better than to gawk at the sight. Gathering their shock, they entered politely with the angel's choice of dish.
Seeing this, Leon stood up from his place. Even though he wanted to stay longer to gather answers, he was still considerate and had manners.
Quietly, he assisted the girls. Making sure the side dishes were placed close together and the main ones were properly arranged. Even the beverages were close to the angel's dominant hand next to the plates for easier access.
In a short while, when Leon was satisfied, he began to follow the girls out.
"Aren't you going to stay?"
The girls all turned in shock, but their eyes landed on their boss, who was equally surprised as they were.
"Huh?"
The angel turned to ask a server for an extra plate, which they quickly nodded to. As the girls hurriedly made their way out, leaving Leon behind. The demon remained frozen by the door until the angel further said, "Aren't you curious that I'm seeking someone inside the infernal realm? And since you are the owner of this humble place, it would be an advantage for me to gather information."
He was indeed curious, but staying too much won't benefit him in his working hours. And with their small interaction just now made Leon realised that staying with this being strains his calm composure.
"I'm not that curious," Leon hums while lifting a finger to the side of his chin, "Your situation isn't that special to hold importance to. Well then, I hope you enjoy your stay."
Not wanting to stay for another second, Leon places both of his hands by the door, and fluidly, he slips out, startling the two companions by the door.
The movement, though small, made an impression on the Angel's mind as he followed every movement. Even with the door shut and silence made his company, the angel held a small grin on his face as he glanced at the lit candles behind him.
"That was quick," Lance said, carefully looking over Leon's condition and shape. "Nothing happened, right?"
"Of course," Leon snorts while fixing his composure. But that wasn't enough to convince Lily's worries. However, there were important matters he needed to address. With the presense of the angels appearing out of the usual, something must be happening within the realms.
With a final glance at the door behind him, He could picture the smug look on the angel's face. It deepens the frown adorning his handsome face. But who would have thought that exact night, a letter would come knocking.