"Lyn! Could you go to the store and get some veggies? We're all out."

I groaned before jumping off my chair, closing my notebook, and stomping out of my room.

"Got it." I yelled back while slipping on my vans and burst through the door.

Soft autumn breeze gushed through me and I took a deep breath, easing into the feeling. I was still in my uniform and I had to hold my skirt when the wind became a little too strong.

The walk to the grocery store wasn't that long. Descending down a steep road and turning around a corner, I arrived at the main street. As usual, the roads were nearly congested and people were hustling and bustling about.

I opened the door, causing the wind chimes to ding, and strolled around the shelves. Strangely, there were sports equipment being sold.

What the heck, since when did grocery stores sell these kinds of stuff?

I crouched down to see some roller skates that were on the lowest shelf.

"Do you sell cat food?" A familiar voice echoed near me.

"Yes. It's over there," the store assistant replied.

I peeked from behind the shelf to see who it was. His back was facing me, but I knew who it was from his gray hair. I haven't seen him since that day at the crossroads.

"What are you doing here." I walked up to him with my arms crossed.

He swiftly turned around to look at me with an unamused expression. "Oh, it's you again. Lana or something."

"It's Lyn," I corrected him, starting to get annoyed. "I didn't know reapers could walk into a store to purchase cat food like a human."

He clenched his jaw and slowly closed his eyes, sighing.

"How many times do I have to tell you, I'm not a reaper! If you keep accusing me, saying that I'm a reaper, I won't hesitate to call the cops on you. Mind your own business," he hissed as he grabbed a can of cat food and brushed past me, shoving me with his shoulder in the process.

My back hit the shelves, rocking them slightly.

"Jerk," I mumbled under my breath, watching him leave.

When I turned around to face the shelves, my eyes widened and I froze when one of the bowling balls that were placed on the top was about to fall on top of my head.

I shut my eyes tight in fear and braced myself for the hit.

...But nothing happened.

I opened my eyes to see the ball standing still on the top of the shelves, not moving whatsoever.

I wasn't injured.

Did I hallucinate?

The store assistant walked past me and I called her to vent. "Why the heck did you place the bowling balls on the top?! What if someone gets hit or even worse, die from brain injury when it falls on their head?! Actually, what kind of a grocery store even sells these stuff?"

"That's none of your business," she spat while chewing her gum and left me there dumbstruck.

People these days...

I sighed and walked to the vegetables section.

Hello there, my fellow potatoes.

I picked a bag of potatoes, onions, and other things Rena told me to buy, and headed to the cashier. After that, I walked out of the store and went back home.

"There, there, have some food."

That annoying voice was heard again, and I turned my head to find him feeding some stray cats in an alley.

He was slowly stroking their heads in a gentle manner with a fond smile, his eyes gazing at them in an affectionate way, curved into crescent moon-shapes, unlike those times when he looked at me. He looked incredibly warm, showing such expressions, enough to melt anyone.

My heart squeezed at the sight.

Maybe he really wasn't a reaper?

🌹🌹🌹

My phone suddenly rang in class and I almost had a heart attack.

"Miss, can I take this?" I politely asked the teacher and she nodded.

I tiptoed out of the classroom and took the call.

"Hello?"

"Evelyn! How are you? How's school? I haven't seen you in years!"

I pushed my phone a bit far away from my ear when my uncle's voice blasted through the line.

"I'm doing well, uncle," I giggled. "How are you?"

"Oh, I'm doing great. I heard that you were interested in becoming a detective?"

Who told him that...

"Um, yes? But that was actually-"

"Then, what do you say about accompanying me during your free time? My partner went on a vacation for around a week yesterday, I could really use some company. I'll teach you a thing or two."

I knew I stopped doing things like this a while ago and that I shouldn't be messing with things like this much soon, but I couldn't say no. It seemed like an opportunity for me to learn more.

Okay, that's a lie... I was still hung up on finding a reaper.

"Oh. Okay. That sounds great. So I'll just go over to your work today, then?"

"Today?" He chuckled. "Okay, today it is. You know how to get here?"

"Yep. I'll visit you after school."

"Okay, Lyn. See you soon."

"Bye." I hung up.

Hopefully I'll find a reaper today...

...Or not.

🌹🌹🌹

"You're going where?!"

"The police station?" I smiled sheepishly.

Rena rubbed her eyes and sighed. "You said that you would stop doing this. Explain why you're going there?"

I stayed quiet for a while until she lifted her head up to stare at me.

"For a sign of a reaper," I stuttered, a little hesitant, and she noticed that.

"Why do you sound unsure now?"

"Because," I sighed, "I don't even know anymore. I don't know if I really saw a reaper that day or it was just an illusion that my brain created as a coping mechanism to calm down a frightened child. I don't know what to believe and I'm tired of it. This time, I will end it once and for all. That's why I'm willing to spend my time there, accompanying my uncle to crime scenes."

She softly gazed at me and held my hands.

"I just didn't want you to stress. I won't stop you, but I hope you know what you're doing. It's dangerous out there, stick with your uncle at all times, okay? Be safe, Lyn."

"I will."

"Rena, are you ready?" Our classmate, Taehyung asked her as he walked up to us. They were heading to the library for their usual study session now.

She didn't reply and only looked at me with a grave expression.

"Go, your date is waiting," I teased her and she blushed immediately. "I wouldn't want to interrupt your alone time."

I could see him blush as well, from the corner of my eyes.

After pushing her gently to make her face him, I giggled on my way out of the classroom.

Cute lovebirds...

I sighed.

When will I ever...

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A/N: I came back with a long chapter after a long time uwu
Btw, did y'all read BTS' webtoon Save Me? 😭

Thank you for reading this chapter and please don't forget to vote if you liked it 🌹