Another short chapter, but its the best I can do right now, given the circumstances of my home. It's been very stormy lately, I lost power for 2 days their's even MORE mold than I expected... but at least I was able to get this out for you to hold you guys over. I'm also gonna be honest, this epilogue is killing me. I had the idea in my head but as I started writing it, more batshit crazy ideas popped in my head and I've been going over each one to see which one would fit the tone of this story best for the upcoming sequel.

It's the same with my Symbiote of Yokai fic. There's so much I wanna try and many new ideas I wanna put out there; it's allot, ya know? I apologize how slow this fic, as well as my others, are coming along. When before, I had new chapters every week; now it seems they come out 3-5 weeks at a time. Anyway, enjoy this small chapter, but first:

1) 54godamora: Thank you for not spoiling. Its the end goal of this epilogue.

2) Ace: You'll see what kind of restaurant right now.

3) Omnisaurus: Glad your all caught up, and glad you enjoyed the chapters. The reason behind Anthony weakness was meant to be a shocker, though I did foreshadow it if you go back and read. Plus, it's entirely original. The last chapter was actually cut short for the reasons I gave above that page, so I don't think your turning into Purp, I didn't expect anyone to really comment in that chapter due to how short it is.

Epilogue: Page 4

Teleporting to the restaurant was actually easier than Rias thought. Not a single person noticed them because Anthony suggested to pop up in an alleyway in-between the restaurant and a KFC next door... though once they went onto the streets, people shot them glances. What were a bunch of high schoolers, especially 4 girls and 2 boys, doing in a dark alley at this time of day? Of course, they minded they're own business once Anthony went in front of the diner and took out the set of keys he had, figuring they were employees or something. The sign in the door was flipped on 'closed'... their just going to work, no other reason random teens are at a building, right?

As Anthony started unlocking the door, he paused suddenly, but only for a second before continuing. Rias just so happened to catch a glimpse of his face... he looked troubled for some reason.

Inside; Lezaza's was the size of a small diner. Probably able to fit about 100 or so people, and that's including the 5 stools lined up at the bar. Like most diners, this one had a giant menu on the wall. They sold sushi, ramen, breakfast and lunch items; and (unsurprisingly due to Anthony's background) pizza. Many decorations also hung up around the shop, be it pictures or posters. Some of them the ORC recognized: popular bands and pop idols, some old but still well-renowned anime characters/franchises, and even some top sports players and music stars. Some things they did not know of included:

1) Some 70's movie with the tagline: "I'm gonna make him an offer he can't refuse"

2) A black-and-white poster with a young girl posing on it (she looked to be in her mid 20's). It was an old poster, so most of the words were faded, but the word "Monroe" was still visible.

3) There was a postcard on the wall with a cooked turkey on it. It had the words "thanks" and "giving" written as one word... whatever that meant.

Before they could take in more of the sights, the kitchen door swung open. "MOMMA MIA! CAN'T YOU READ! WE'RE NOT A-OPE...!" Yelled a slightly heavyset man. He wore an apron (he was a cook obviously) with blue suspenders and a red shirt, sporting a matching hat. He stopped his speech when he looked at the group... Anthony specifically. "Well, son of-a bitch. Look what-a stallion lead in! Shouldn't ya be in-a school?" Asked the man, his tone becoming more friendly.

"That's funny coming from a middle school dropout, stronzo" said Anthony jokingly, walking towards the heavyset man. The man in question held out his arms and gave Anthony a bear hug while chuckling, with the student returning the hug. Based on this interaction, the ORC deduced that this man and Anthony must be close.

"Hahaha, what'cha doing-a here now? Lezaza give-a you-a day off" said the man, giving a hearty laugh while hugging Anthony before letting go. Rias once again noticed Anthony's expression change before recovering a second later. What exactly was bothering him?

"Just... uh... eh, you know me. Could never stay away" Anthony white-lied. The man seemed to buy it though.

"Aye. You've practically been raised here since Lezaza himself took-a ya in" said the man. This came as a surprise to the group. The same man who helped Anthony... also owned this very diner?

"Yeah... hey, Luigi? Is he in today?" Asked Anthony. The group stared. This man was dressed like that, and his name was Luigi?

"Ya know him. He's in da back, never leaves. Ya need need me to call-a him out?" Asked the man, now known as Luigi.

"Er, no. This is... kinda personal..." said Anthony, his voice trailing off a bit. Luigi seemed to understand Anthony's tone, and nodded. Anthony turned back towards his friends. "This'll only take a minute" he said, turning around to head inside the door Luigi entered, when Anthony felt his hand was grabbed. Looking behind him, he saw Rias gently holding him back.

"I'm going with you" she said, her eyes full of understanding. She wanted to support Anthony on whatever he was going through.

"That's... not necessary" said Anthony. He was touched by Rias' kindness... but didn't bother arguing since she hardened her glare at him.

"Whatever my servant needs, I'll be there" she said kindly, though the underlying meaning was her telling him she wouldn't take 'no' for an answer.

"... servant?" Asked Luigi, confused. Anthony got nervous, but thought of a quick excuse. "Uh... its couple talk! YEAH! Ya know: daddy, servant, master... it's a kink, hehehehehe" Anthony white-lied again. Embarrassed, he went in the back, not realizing he and Rias were still hand-in-hand.

"... humph... kids these days..." said Luigi with a shrug.

-TIME BREAK-

Walking through the kitchen, more workers shouted praise at Anthony as he walked in. It was clear to Rias that it wasn't just Luigi and the man running this joint whom Anthony was close with, but all of the employees. He's been here for a long time after being taken in by the big bossman, so it made sense that they were much like a family... that, and it was funny seeing Anthony's red face when he had to explain why he was holding hands with his 'girlfriend', many of the boys working here kept whistling in her direction and saying she was a keeper.

"Bella, Bella!"

"See? Told ya he had it in him."

"Hey... look at this guy. Da stallion strikes again."

"Imagine what dishes THEY get cooking."

All the cooks back here also cheered Rias and Anthony on with raised fists shaking in the air, as well as chuckling or laughing at they're own teasing. Once they got out of the kitchen area and in front of the office, Anthony heaved a sigh. "Your cute when your embarrassed" said Rias with a smirk.

"I... I was NOT embarrassed!" Anthony denied.

"Your face was as red as my hair" Rias said.

"Its the... heat from the kitchen, that's all!" Anthony denied again.

"I don't mind us holding hands... its almost as nice as a kiss" she flirted. Anthony couldn't blame the blush on the kitchen this time, but shook it off and went to turn the nob on the office door. As he did, Rias grabbed his hand before he could actually turn it. Looking at Rias again, her face was now serious.

"I meant it... if somethings bothering you, please... don't hesitate to talk to me" she said with kindness, looking right into Anthony's eyes. They both found themselves lost in them for a few seconds. Rias even slowly leaned in, and kissed Anthony's cheek gently and quickly. Anthony appreciated the gesture, and he felt his heartbeat jump up, which was most likely due to an attractive girl kissing him. He also couldn't help but crack a small smile.

[If you lovebirds are done now...] chuckled Ddraig. Getting back to the matter at hand, Anthony resumed what he was doing before Rias distracted him.

And Rias thought SHE, was a busy person when it came to paperwork. But her desk was neat compared to what she was seeing. Inside the office was a desk piled with bills and corporate letters. The walls had menu plans and graphs, probably for sales. There was also an old computer that was off on the corner of the desk, looking like an old RadioShack model from the 80's. At the desk itself sat a slim man though much older than Luigi, having a bald spot right on top of his head with only black sideburns for hair; and wrinkles covering his hands and face.

No doubt, this must have been the leader of the establishment... Lezaza himself.

He was on the phone with someone. "Yes... no... Yes, sir. Have a good day" said Lezaza, hanging up with whomever he was speaking too. Once he did, he just happened to look up and see 2 teens standing in his office. Upon seeing one of them was his 'adopted son', he smiled and got up from his seat, walking around the crowded desk to approach his guests. He did so using a cane. "My boy... you should be in school right now, not flexing that yer old man owns a diner to yer girlfriend" said Lezaza with a smile, clearly teasing his foster son.

Before Anthony could defend himself, he noticed that he was STILL holding hands with Rias. Either he forgot to let go due to the reason he was here, or Rias wormed her hand back into his... he might never know. "He's been on 1st base twice... he's so good at it" Rias said shamelessly, making Anthony's mouth drop open. The poor boy never felt so embarrassed in his life... this was the man who was like a second father to him, can't Rias keep her smart mouth shut?!

"Heheh, one can't blame him. Hell, if I were 50 years younger..." Lezaza began to joke, but Anthony crumpled up an expired bill off the wall and threw it at the older male to shut him up... he ducked quick for an old man. "You'll have to forgive him... he can be a jealous type" Lezaza continued, smirking all the while.

"So I've seen..." said Rias with a smile.

"Keep that slong in your pants, old man" Anthony said to his foster father.

"At least I have experience with it" said Lezaza. Anthony growled, and Rias just giggled cutely. The relationship between these two was a close one, so much so that the father figure was willing to snuff out the sons flame if given the chance. "But I take it you didn't come on yer day off to show off yer future wife" said Lezaza, still not letting up. Rias actually couldn't help but blush slightly at that. Her? Anthony's wife? Sure it might have been a joke when she first met him...

"Ugh... yeah. I, uh... I need it" said Anthony, his tone turning serious. Rias observed Lezaza's reaction carefully. At first, he still had a silly grin... but then it slowly hardened to concern.

"It?... Anthony, I thought you never wanted to..." said Lezaza, but Anthony cut him off.

"I know... I said I never wanted to see it again, but... times have changed..." said Anthony. Rias looked back and forth between the two men, trying to figure out what Anthony could be referring too. While they're facial expressions told her this was a serious topic, she didn't know what it could be. Eventually, Lezaza turned and walked behind his desk again and towards a large portrait that Rias didn't notice before.

It was a picture of what looked like the front of the restaurant, with Lezaza surrounded by some co-workers. One of them had an arm around Lezaza, it was a younger-looking Luigi. At their feet was a young boy, and it didn't take Rias long to realize that was in fact Anthony... however, instead of smiling like the others... he looked lost... and alone. This must have been taken a while after Anthony found himself in Japan, and met the bossman for the first time.

The date on the bottom-right hand corner was all the proof she needed: 9/2/2004

What Rias didn't expect was the old man to swing open the portrait like a door, and behind it was a safe that was built-in the wall. Punching in some numbers, the safe opened. Lezaza reached in, pulled something out and closed the door to the safe. He began to hand something to Anthony. It was a small set of keys.

"You sure you want this? I'm not sure it's a good..." Lezaza began, wanting to express his concerns about how he didn't like the sound of Anthony's idea, but Anthony just held his hand out and grabbed the keys from the mans grasp.

"I have to... move forward... I can't run anymore... I need to face it..." said Anthony, and it was clear to Rias he was getting a little choked up.

Lezaza seemed to understand, but also still feel concerned about Anthony for a reason Rias couldn't figure out. Both men hugged each other, it was Anthony silently thanking Lezaza for his cooperation. Rias stared, trying to understand what this was all about. What were those keys too? What were they for? And more importantly... what did they mean to him?