"Is this the house in Los Angeles?"
After being resurrected, the elderly, white-haired couple
showed neither shock nor panic.
Howard was very calm.
The moment he saw Leon, his eyes lit up.
Then he stepped forward and gave Leon a tight hug.
"Leon! My big boy, thank you for everything you've done for Maria and me. Thank you!"
After Howard let go, Maria gave Leon a big hug as well.
"Thank you, Leon. Look at you, my child. Following Tony around all these years, you must have suffered quite a lot."
"Uh, no. Actually, Tony, well... he's the one who's been taking care of me."
Leon froze for a moment, then quickly recovered.
"Actually, I should be thanking you two, uh..."
Leon hesitated slightly, wondering how he should address them.
Even calling them Mom and Dad would have been appropriate.
But all he truly felt for them was deep gratitude.
There wasn't much familial affection to speak of.
If anything, he and Tony had become real family after all these years.
"Just call us Howard and Maria. Everyone else does. You're independent now, buddy. If you keep calling us Mom and Dad, you won't get any allowance."
Howard wore a teasing smile, and a hint of his youthful mischief showed through his serious face.
He had been quite the playboy in his younger days.
It was only after reaching middle age that responsibility and family had gradually made him more serious.
After going to Death, Howard had finally let loose again. For now, he hadn't quite gotten serious again.
Maria nodded beside him. "Lady Death told us that you wanted to resurrect us, Leon, and even specifically asked her for our souls."
"You're our pride, Leon. Adopting you was the best decision we ever made."
Maria cupped Leon's cheeks with