Chapter 11

After finishing providing data and information to the Zodiacs, Jose recalls Gregory.

He immediately rushes to his car in the parking lot, but Gregory's nowhere to be found. He asks the receptionist and they say the person he's looking for has left.

He immediately calls Dominic. "Hello, Master. It's me, Jose. Is the man named Gregory with you?" 

"Yes. He's with me. No need to worry," replies Dominic briefly.

"Ah. Thank goodness. Alright, then. Be careful, Master. He looks dangerous and very strong," whispers Jose.

Dominic looks at Gregory who's eating a lot of food.

"Nom nom... This food is really delicious! I haven't tasted sweet food in a long time," says Gregory as he continues to chew.

"Yes. He's dangerous indeed. He could devour all my sweets," mutters Dominic while looking at Gregory who's busy eating his sweets.

"Alright then. Do you still have something to say?" asks Dominic.

"Ah, no. That's all. Thank you, Master," says Jose briefly.

After hanging up the phone, he quickly returns home.

"Phew. Today was really unexpected. I had to fill out all the reports at the headquarters and plus I met a strange big man. Even so, Master Dominic seemed relaxed when talking on the phone. Maybe the big man really is his friend. Well, the most important thing is that all of today's problems are solved. It's time to go home." 

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At Petra's home

"Yaawwnn... Morning, Mom."

"Good afternoon, Petra. You look very tired, so Mom and Dad didn't wake you up," says Mom.

"Huh? I'm late for school! I have to hurry!"

"Petra! Isn't today the start of the winter break? Did you forget?" asks Mom.

Ah. I really forgot. Since I've been going to school so much lately, I forgot it's already the winter break.

"Hehe. I forgot. You're right. Haha."

"Hmm... Petra, you're still young, yet forgetful. Well, drink this tea first, while it's still warm," says Mom.

"Okay, Mom. By the way, where's Dad?"

"Your father went to fill out a report on the information of a demon named Jean," replies Mom.

Jean? Hmm... I was supposed to meet her tonight under the clock tower, but the Zodiacs has already taken her away.

How is she doing right now? Eh, why am I even thinking about her? She's one of those demons after all. I'd better bring Dominggus and Daniel along.

"What are you thinking, Petra? You look like an old man. You're still young but already thinking about so many problems," says Mom.

"Ah. No, Mom. I just want to go to see fireworks display tonight with Dominggus and Daniel."

"Oh. Go then if you want to. You're not taking your girlfriend? Or you don't have a girlfriend yet?" 

"Ah. I'm not dating anyone, Mom. Maybe when I have a lot of money and a steady job I'll want to date. For now, no one wants to date me."

"It's not that there aren't any. Maybe you just haven't met them yet. But later when you meet your soul mate, please don't hurt her. No matter how big her mistake is, you must be able to forgive her. Men are the place where women lean on, so be wise and careful in speaking and acting," explains Mom.

Suddenly, Dad comes and chimes in. "Good afternoon, everyone. What Mom said is right. Take Dad for example. I'm a good man who never make Mom cry. I will always make her happy."

"Yes, yes, I got it. You two are always acting like lovebirds. I myself as a child sometimes feel jealous. But on the other hand I'm happy, 'cause I have wonderful parents like you two. Thank you for educating me and taking care of me all this time, Mom and Dad."

"It's our duty as parents, Petra. It's Mom and Dad who should be thanking you for being such a great and kind boy. We're lucky to have you, Petra," says Dad.

Dad comes over and hugs me and Mom. Mom and Dad are my world. Whenever and wherever I am, I never feel fear or worry as long as I'm with them.

"Dad, you smell," says Mom.

"Huh? Really?" asks Dad.

I say mockingly, "Yes. You smell like you live in a cave."

"Ah. Then I need to take a quick shower and change my clothes. Wait here for a while." Dad immediately rushes to the bathroom.

"Is this smell caused by that person? Ugh, what a smell. Why did I just realize it? I have to wash these clothes immediately," mutters Jose to himself inside the bathroom.

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At Dominic's house

"Hahaha. I love watching those stupid people on TV. Hey, Dominic. Don't you have anything else to eat? Your food is gone," says Gregory.

"I guess I should start being strict with you. Tell you what, if you want any more of that food, then clean up that mess immediately and take a shower!! You smell like someone who lives in a cave and never bathes," scolds Dominic.

"Huh? I did live in a cave to meditate for 25 years. Did you forget? Ah, well. I'll clean all this up. If that's what you want, Dominic." Gregory rushes to clean up all the food scattered there.

"Sigh. Even in my old age I still have to deal with problems caused by this guy. You'd better stay in the cave forever, Gregory," says Dominic in a low voice.

"Huh? Why, Dominic? Did you say something?" asks Gregory.

"No. Just hurry up. Clean up the place and take a shower," says Dominic as he walks into his room.

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At the Zodiacs headquarters

"Chief, tonight there will be a big fireworks display in the town center. Are you coming?" asks Ivar.

"I'll be on guard duty at the headquarters. Just send some members to be on standby in the town center during the fireworks display," replies Maximus.

"I'll go see the fireworks display. Maybe I'll go with Apollo, but I haven't seen him today," says Ozzy.

"Apollo has been more quiet lately. I almost didn't realize he was present in the meeting," says Gunther.

"It's possible that he has problems. I've tried to talk to him, but he didn't want to tell me," says Ivar.

"I'll go to the town center with Tristan," says Archibald.

"Alright. I have to gather information from the three demons. I'll stay at the headquarters with the chief," says Gunther.

"Domino and I are too old to go to the fireworks display. The two of us are staying at the headquarters," says Domina.

"Alright. Ozzy and I will be patrolling. For now, there are 12 people active. Apollo's whereabouts is still unknown today. It's possible that he's busy," says Ivar.

The Zodiacs then divide the tasks for the upcoming fireworks display.

Ivar and Ozzy will patrol the city.

Tristan, Archibald, Cordelia, Crysalia, Iris, and Domevlo will come to the fireworks display.

Maximus, Domino, Domina, and Gunther will remain at headquarters.

Meanwhile, Apollo's whereabouts is unknown.