Today was supposed to be my rest day but doing so was just impossible. Merely slacking made my brain to be more active, going round and round yet reaching no definite conclusion. I tried to distract myself with some games but it just went worse.

The game that I was playing involves searching for the killer behind a murder. I cannot help but put myself in the place of the culprit. If I was in the game, even if my actions were justified, I will still be judged as guilty. Everything just reminded me of my sins all over again… 

Luckily Miss Barbara asked me if there is something I would like her to buy for me since she was about to go shopping. I went with her instead to kind of get things off my head even for a bit. 

I wore the cap Keen lent me and another pair of gloves which the boss gave me again since my last one was torn. I was also not wearing my jacket because the sleeves were ripped apart after I enlarged my arms last night.

“Thank you for coming with me, it’s good to have extra arms when shopping.” Miss Barbara uttered as we walked side by side on our way to the shopping mall.

“No problem, I just want to get some fresh air.” I replied.

“So how are you? Jo told me that you did great last night.” Miss Barbara asked with a concerned look.

“Really? Then maybe I’ll get a promotion then!” 

It is good to know that they think my actions last night was nice but, would they still think so after they know what happened in detail?

“A promotion on the first day? Isn’t that a bit too fast?” Her worried look was immediately replaced with a smile.

“I am a prodigy after all! Time is but an ethereal distance from which humans are disillusioned into! A sane man such as me heeds no such blasphemy!”

“I see why he took a liking to you.” Miss Barbara chuckled.

“Oh Keen? We are best buddies! We even promised to play fetch in the park next time.”

“No silly! If you continue teasing him like that then maybe he’ll really give you a beating.”

“Gary then! I think he will get along with everyone as long as you do not wake him up.”

“I know that you know that I’m talking about Jo,” she giggled.

“Really, the boss? Then it is true that I’ll be promoted soon?” I teased.

“It is true that I think he likes you but I don’t think he will promote you that easily. He is always serious and does not let his emotions get in the way with work.”

“I see, so much for my dream of being Keen’s senior at work and making him work like a dog.”

“He might not say it directly but I can feel it when he likes something and he when does not.” Miss Barbara then looked at the sky.

“Don’t worry! I don’t swing that way, I won’t be your rival in love or anything!” I uttered with a fist pump.

“You really don’t know when to stay silent, do you?” Miss Barbara uttered with a piercing glare.

“I find the hobby of annoying people plenty of fun, you should try it sometimes!”I smirked.

“I’ll pass. I find the current state of my life fun as it is, despite the weird dangerous situation we are in right now.”

Now that she said it, I also think that it is true for me as well. Although I am not happy about the whole demon thing, being with them even for only a short amount of time was way better than when I was on the hiding alone.

“Now, now, don’t you think you are being too serious? How about we talk about something else?” I suggested.

“Like what?”

“Let’s talk about you! You are yet to tell me how old you are!”

“You know not to ask a woman her age, right? You really are a master at annoying people.”

“Oh no, no. You overestimate me too much.”

“That was not a compliment. Anyways we’re here. Where should we go to first?”

The shopping mall had a moderate amount of people. We went around for a while. Miss Barbara bought some clothes while I picked up a few pairs of gloves and then a cap so I can return the ones I was wearing to their owners. I also bought a jacket that looks almost the same like my previous one. It was my favorite after all. 

Miss Barbara also had a list of what to buy for the others. We bought a limited edition Mochi-mochi pillow for Gary, a wireless mouse for Keen, and a few boxes of cigarettes for the boss. The Mochi-mochi pillow was a round white creature drinking a cup of coffee. It was very cute that I would have bought one for myself if only it was not the last one on stock. 

We also went to buy groceries for our food supply. I guess it really was a good choice for me to come along since all these things might be a little bit too much for Miss Barbara to carry alone.

 “Would you mind waiting here? There is a last stop I wish to go to.” Miss Barbara asked as she put the things she was carrying on a vacant bench.

“Sure, not a problem.” I sat on the bench as I also put down what I was carrying. 

The shopping bags were not that heavy but it made my arms sore after carrying it for a while. I spread my arms widely as I place them at the top of the bench’s backrest.

“Okay, I’ll be back in a while!” Miss Barbara walked away.

I guess going on a carefree trip like this is a great change of pace. I don’t think anyone of the Possessed will be on the right mind to stir trouble on such a populated area.

“ Is… Is that really you?” A brown haired girl near me, wearing sunglasses and a yellow shirt uttered.

“Um… are you referring to me?” I replied hesitantly.

“It is you! Where have you been!?” The girl asked in a seemingly distressed loud voice.

“Huh?” I replied as I was not able to comprehend what she was talking about.

“That’s it? We actually thought you were dead! Now that I found you, that’s the only word what you have to say?” The girl started shouting. 

Her loud voice seemed to attract attention that I felt that there were a lot of people looking at us.

“I am sorry miss, but I do not know you.” I replied with a smile as I stood up.

“I know I am wearing shades but how dare you to not recognize your girlfriend?” The girl removed her eyewear and her beautiful angry face met me. “Happy?”

“I think you might be getting the wrong person.” I uttered as I scratched the back of my head.

“You are not fooling anyone around here!” The girl kept on shouting at me, attracting even more attention.

“But you see, I actually do not have a girlfriend…” I scratched my cheek with my pinky.

“If you wanted to break up with me that much, you should have said so! You did not have to boycott me all of a sudden and pretend that you don’t know me at all!” 

“Like I was saying I-” 

I was not able to complete my sentence as I saw that tears started to well up in her eyes. The whispering around us was also starting to get louder. The turn of events was distressing.

“Would you at least tell me why did you have to disappear like that? I just want a proper explanation.” The girl’s voice which was loud a while ago was replaced with a silent sad voice.

What am I going to do? I honestly do not know what she was talking about! I do not freaking know her! Should I keep on telling her that or should I make up a story as to how I left her to shift the blame on her and turn the crowd into my favor? Maybe I can even accuse her of trying to scam me by creating commotion?

I was thinking hard as to what to say when I looked around and saw Miss Barbara along with the crowd. She was looking at us with a face painted with confusion.

“Hey Miss Barbara? Will you help me out here?” I called out to her with a wave of a hand.

“So you left me because your new girl is sexier than me, is that it?” The girl said after she saw Miss Barbara.

“No, no, no, no. The two of us are not in that kind of relationship.” I replied with a rapid shake of my hand.

“Cray? Would you explain to me what is happening around here?” Barbara asked after she went closer to us.

“W-wait… Cray?” The girl asked in surprise.

“That is my name, miss.” I replied.

“So you really are not… him?”

“That is what I was trying to tell you all along!”

“I’m sorry… I’m really sorry!” The girl’s face turned red as she bowed as low as she can to apologize. The crowd around us then started to dissipate while sounds of people laughing can be heard.

“Is the misunderstanding finally over?” Barbara asked.

  “I am sorry again. You just look exactly like him. Although the way you talk is a bit different, you have the same voice as well.”

“Sure, everyone makes mistakes. Let us just forget about it. Shall we?” I uttered as I extended my hands. “I am Cray by the way. I think it is better to introduce myself so you do not mistake me for someone else again?”

“My name is Rica. I am very sorry for the awkward situation I put you in.” Rica uttered as she grabbed my hand for a handshake.

Rica apologized to me a couple more times before she left. She looked very ashamed as to what she did that I just can’t bring myself to be angry at her.

“Miss Barbara, can I ask you something?”

“Sure, what is it?”

“You have the ability to detect lies right? What do you think?”

“Both of you were not lying, not at all.”

“Seriously!? There is someone who actually looks exactly like me? Do I have a doppelganger or something?” I asked in surprise. 

“Although I was confused for a moment there, seeing you quite flustered for the first time was a sight to see!” Barbara said with a slight laugh.

“But seriously, that was really one complicated situation. I certainly hope not to be in that kind of trouble again.”

“Come on, it was an honest mistake since she was actually telling the truth.”

“I see, maybe I should have asked for a photo of her boyfriend just to see if he really looks like me just in case.” I silently uttered.

I picked up the shopping bags then Miss Barbara and I walked back home. Although the commotion was cleared and no harm was done, it left me quite curious. 

But now that I think of it, she should wear real prescription eyeglasses next time instead of sunglasses so she will not make the same mistake.