It was an hour into the workday, with MK out delivering noodles to customers, and boredom taking root. Red Son can't help but note the lack of customers that are coming in. Though, he can see the reason as to why so many decided to come into the store. Simply put, power was out. Now that people have their power back on, their air conditioners work and they can call in instead of dining out to escape the heat that's made its way into their homes. It's made the day rather slow for him, yet so hectic for MK who has to keep up with the orders. Then, Tang comes in. Of course.

"I was told to tell you that unless you plan on paying to leave as Pigsy's Noodles is not a charity."

"That sounds accurate, though I am paying."

"Are you paying for that tab as well?"

Tang sits down in his usual spot before thinking and smiling a bit, then returning to the conversation.

"One bowl of wonton noodles, please and thank you."

"You avoided the question."

"I believe I answered."

"Alright, as long as you pay for it this time."

Red Son walks into the kitchen, seeing Pigsy at work. He looks a bit concentrated. Then, he notes Red Son.

"Another order or cranky customer?"

"Tang. Here's the order ticket. Don't worry, he said he's paying... not paying off that tab just yet though."

"Yeah, that sounds like Tang. I'll be just a minute."

"Wait, why don't you just not serve him until you get your payment. He owes you money, doesn't he?"

Pigsy smiles, shaking his head.

"Well, you don't know him the way that I do. Me and him go way back, alright? He'll pay it off and give a tip come Christmas."

"If you say so."

Red goes back over to the counter, continuing to clean it down to ensure that it's kept nice enough for himself.

"Red, I have to ask, what made you switch sides."

Red Son looks at Tang, wondering what he's truly asking. That question is far too innocent to actually be, so there has to be something deeper. Of course, Tang notes the confused expression on Red Son's face and sighs.

"I have researched history for a long, long time. And I know, for a fact, that demons are big on family. It's everything. Even when they hate each other, they're always side by side because they're stubborn like that. So, it's rare to see a demon leave their home, even more so for a demon to fight their family. So, what about your family made you realize that they aren't good for you?"

"Simple. Sandy."

Tang looks at Red Son, completely shocked with his mouth open. Red Son looks at him, completely confused.

"What? If you've ever been around him then you've met his 'therapy cats', which is honestly very telling of his personality. When I was still living with him, he often made me do yoga to calm my anger. He's one of the first people to treat me with the respect that I know I deserve. Sure, MK's the one that originally offered to help me, but I only originally accepted it to trick him. Now it's far different from that, but it's still Sandy that helped me to see that anyone who belittles me is only trying to make themselves feel better about their own failures."

"...And here I thought it was love that changed your heart or friendship. Turns out you just like cats and hugs."

"No, I just like it when the people around me are worthy of my presence and appreciate what I do."

"You must hate being here during lunch, then."

The two are disturbed by a call bell, and Red Son knows to go over to pick up the bowl of noodles.

"Order for Tang."

"Figured. It's rather empty today."

The phone rings and Pigsy goes over to it. Though, Red Son knows better than to eavesdrop and brings Tang his noodles, placing it down. Of course, it doesn't take long for Tang to get started with his meal. Though, a part of Red Son knows that this won't shut him up as he likes talking between bites. And, of course, he's going to.

"By the way, when do you think MK's gonna be back?"

"Whenever traffic allows... unless he's wasting time during work at the arcade, which is, to my dismay, extremely likely."

"Heh... yeah, figures he's not going to be put on dish duty as much now that orders are nonstop on the delivery front."

"He might be if he's at that arcade again, even if I have to do so myself."

Red Son looks towards the door and wonders if he should go check to see if he's there and pull him back to work. But, then he sees MK coming through the door, completely exhausted and slightly wet.

"What happened to you?"

"So... we're never delivering to that downtown area again because I almost got mugged... and the fight ended up getting me drenched thanks to a nearby fire hydrant and my staff. I got the money though and they got their noodles."

Pigsy rushes out of the kitchen, rushing over to MK and looking frantically at him.

"Mugged!? Did you get hurt!?"

"No, no, I'm fine and I made sure they paid... so, we're not taking any more orders from that sketchy place again."

Tang taps Red Son with the end of a stool, which grabs his attention. Then, he motions towards the burning counter where Red Son's hand just was. He frantically puts it out while MK and Pigsy are chatting, trying his best to cool down as fast as possible. Though, the smell of smoke is present, which, of course, catches the attention of MK.

"Wait... is that smoke?"

Pigsy goes wide-eyed, rushing back to his kitchen and sighing in relief when everything seemed to be alright. Though, Red Son is panicked and looking for a way to hide his mistake, not wanting to deal with the reprocutions of a mistake like this one, he might be physically reprimanded if Pigsy finds out about this.

"Not anything over here, thankfully... maybe it's the stove itself. Well, I got some new equipment ordered, so whatever's wrong won't bug me for a while..."

Pigsy then turns to Red Son, who is smiling and acting casual while hiding the scorch mark on the counter. Then, Red Son turns to MK.

"On a separate note, where was that place and what did those guys look like?"

Tang puts his hand up, silencing MK while taking another bite of his food. Once he's swallowed said bite, he turns to MK.

"MK, don't answer that, he'll kill them."

"What? Who said anything about that? I just want to... make sure I know who I should and shouldn't associate with is all! Yes, yes. So, what fool tried to harm you?"

"Unimportant, really. Just, um, calm down? I have to keep working... deliveries and stuff. Oh, change clothes too! These ones are soaked! I still have some clothes in the apartment, so... I'll be back in five, Pigsy!"

Pigsy once more comes out of the kitchen, spoon in hand.

"You better not goof off!"

Red Son can't help but think that threat fell on deaf ears as MK is already rushing out to get changed and, of course, to goof off.

"Red, if he ain't back in ten could you get him? I don't need him slacking off when I'm drowning in orders."

"Of course."

Pigsy gets back into the kitchen and the restaurant once more settles down to boredom again. Tang sets down the money that he owes for the meal and, in traditional Tang fashion, doesn't look at all like he'll be leaving anytime soon.

"Never a dull day with him around, right?"

"Is there ever a dull day here?"

"Whenever MK is sick, which has happened twice. The first time was because he got caught in the rain for too long and, well, Pigsy told him to get better faster. The second time is when a customer had the flu. Both days MK was nowhere around and the most exciting thing was seeing Pigsy worry about the kid so much, going over to check on him given any kind of opportunity. As I am basically a father to him, I checked on him--"

"YOU'RE MK's FATHER?!"

Red Son is completely shocked by this sudden news. He never would have guessed it! MK must take more after his mother then, whoever she is. Though, it does explain why he's so big on the Monkey King. Growing up with stories of him and such. To his knowledge, Mr. Tang is a historian or at the very least someone who studies religion and mythological texts. Though, Tang seems a bit shocked at Red Son's reaction.

"It-It explains a lot, but now I have more questions!"

"NO! No, no, no! That's not what I meant! I'm a Father-figure, not an actual father! You know, like adoption? Pigsy also fills that role."

Tang gestures to Pigsy, who has once more come out of the kitchen, this time with a butcher's knife as if to harm someone. He sighs in relief.

"For a moment there I thought that MK's dad was actually here, please never say that again. If you want to know more, ask MK. Or don't. Not doing that will probably help him stay calm... for the sake of MK not having a breakdown, his parents are bad people."

"I... I kind of know about that... MK did mention that his parents kicked him out, which confused me about you a moment there. Wait, if you adopted him then is his last name Tang? Since he always calls you 'Mr. Tang'? MK Tang? Or, seeing as you said Pigsy fills that role as well, did he take his last name?"

Pigsy and Tang pause a moment before Pigsy starts with a hard laugh, practically falling to the floor.

"I compared it to adoption, I didn't actually adopt him. He was eighteen when I met him anyway, so it wouldn't be possible to."

"Oh... hmm... well, back to work then, I suppose."

---------------------------------------------------------------------

After a long day, Red Son goes to clean the store one last time before Pigsy closes it. As usual, this shouldn't be that eventful.

"Red Son!"

Or, maybe it will be eventful with Pigsy yelling for him.

"What's with the scorch mark on the counter!?"

Yelling at him.

"Well, that's from when MK came in and said he was 'mugged'. I was angry and I'm sorry the counter was damaged in the process."

"That's coming out of your pay, you hear me?!"

Pigsy raises his spoon, making Red Son flinch, though he stays in place. After a minute, Red Son opens his eyes slightly to see Pigsy standing in disbelief. Shock is the main expression on his face, though worry is right there with it.

"Kid, I understand that your home was... bad... so, understand that I'm not going to hit you like that, alright? Maybe throw something at you, but not hit you like that. It'll be coming out of your pay, and that's the worst I'll do, alright?"

Red Son can't help but be confused. His mother always hit him for even the slightest of perceived offenses. Surely the counter being burned would yield the same outcome.

"...alright."

"Good. And, just so we're both clear, hitting people is bad. Well, unless they're causing trouble, in which case, punch away. But, not in this context. We clear?"

"...Yes..."

And with that, Pigsy goes over to continue cleaning the same as Red Son does. Though, he can't help but be confused at this. Then, he thinks on it. He sighs, realizing how stupid he was. Of course, that's not normal. His mother is a bad person... he just doesn't know what constitutes as a bad thing yet. So, with nothing to do with this new revelation, he continues to do his job. Sweeping the floors and, despite just being yelled at, feeling completely out of harm's way.