A month passed. Rex fell back into his routine—working from home and occasionally heading to school just to show his face or take online exams. In the late afternoon, having finished his work, Rex sat down in front of the TV to relax. But as soon as he turned it on:
"Breaking news: the body of a young girl has been discovered in the northern district of the city. The victim is believed to have died from an attack by a mysterious monster that infiltrated the city, evidenced by deep claw marks and the fact that the body was found frozen. Based on her clothing, the victim was a student at the Magic and Military Academy. Reports identify her as Sarah, a 12th-grade student..."
When the victim's photo appeared on the screen, Rex's eyes widened. He leaned forward, staring at the TV and studying the face in the picture.
"Wait... are you serious? Hmmm... I'm pretty sure I met her in the cafeteria two days ago. We introduced ourselves and talked for quite a while... and now she's the victim? Man... that's heartbreaking. She was supposed to get married after graduation," Rex muttered, feeling a pang of sadness as he looked at the photo on the news.
"Click."
The front door opened. Ruby took off her shoes, walked through the hallway, and opened the door to the main room. She saw Rex staring blankly at the television.
"Rex, I'm home," Ruby said.
Rex turned to look at Ruby and smiled, then turned back to the TV to listen to the report. Ruby walked over and sat down beside him, glancing at the screen.
"According to eyewitnesses at the victim's home when she was kidnapped, the monster looked like a white-furred wolf and also appeared to be a woman. Authorities are still investigating and searching for the monster that infiltrated the city..."
Before the news anchor could finish the report, the TV suddenly cut to black. Rex immediately turned to see Ruby holding the remote. She was pouting.
"Why'd you turn it off?" Rex asked, looking at her.
"I told you I'm home... you could at least answer me," Ruby replied, annoyed.
"Right... welcome home. Now give me the remote, I was listening to the news," Rex said, reaching for the remote in her hand.
But Ruby raised her hand and tucked the remote deep into her cleavage, smiling at him.
"Hey, why did you put it in there?" Rex asked, pointing at her chest.
"Take it if you're brave enough," Ruby challenged, thrusting her chest forward.
Without hesitating, Rex reached into Ruby's cleavage and grabbed the remote. He turned the TV back on, but he was disappointed to find the segment had already ended.
"Ah... it's over. You're something else, you know that?" Rex said, looking at her.
Ruby's face was flushed bright red. It wasn't out of embarrassment; she looked delighted, covering her cheeks with both hands and wearing a strange smile.
"Why is your face like that?" Rex asked.
"Nothing... I guess you really are bold, hehe," Ruby answered.
"I'm used to you by now. You've basically been living in my house for a month," Rex countered.
"Oh, true, hehehe," Ruby giggled.
"Lately, there have been so many monsters roaming the city. A white wolf, some kind of grim reaper... it's just weird. The problem is, I've known all the victims—mostly girls I just met or talked to. I feel really bad for them," Rex muttered.
"Oh, is that so... yeah, how tragic," Ruby replied, turning to look at Rex.
"Whatever, I'm heading to the supermarket to pick up some things and clear my head," Rex said, standing up.
"I'm coming too," Ruby said.
"No, I won't be long. I want to be alone for a bit," Rex replied.
"Fine then. Can you pick something up for me?" Ruby asked.
"Pick up what?" Rex asked.
"Pads... I'm all out," Ruby answered.
"Alright, fine. Be back soon," Rex replied.
Rex walked down the hallway and out the door; a moment later, the sound of the apartment door closing echoed. Ruby leaned back against the sofa cushions and pouted. Then she grabbed her smartphone and opened her tracking app, watching the dot move out of the apartment complex.
"The supermarket, huh. That's fine," Ruby said while staring at her phone.
***
A little while later at the supermarket, after grabbing his essentials and monthly groceries, Rex pushed his cart toward the checkout. Suddenly, "ding," a chat notification popped up on his phone. He pulled his smartphone out of his hoodie pocket and checked it; it was a message from Rose.
"Rex, can you do me a favor and pick up some pads for me? I'm still stuck in a meeting and can't get away. I won't be home until late so I won't have time to buy them today. I'll bring food home for us... okay? Thanks!"
"Oh... right. Ruby asked for some too... well, might as well get them all at once," Rex said.
He turned his cart around and headed straight for the feminine care aisle. But once he arrived, he found himself confused and had to ask both Rose and Ruby for specifics. They ended up naming different brands and types, leaving Rex more bewildered than before. He could only stare at their messages, scratching his head—even though it didn't itch—as he looked at the rows of packages in front of him.
Suddenly, "thump," a hand tapped his shoulder from behind. Rex turned around to see a beautiful woman in her mid-twenties wearing a military uniform, looking sexy as she stood there.
"Oh, Katie?" Rex asked, recognizing her. This woman was one of the three adventurers who had found him and brought him to the city two years ago.
"How's it going, Rex? You doing okay?" Katie asked.
"Yeah, I'm doing fine. You just get back from out of town?" Rex asked.
"Correct, that's why I'm here shopping... anyway, what are you doing in the ladies' aisle looking so confused? Your girlfriend put you up to this?" Katie teased with a smile.
"No... my friends asked for help," Rex answered frankly.
Katie's expression shifted slightly. She began to study Rex's face seriously, as if she were looking at something incredibly strange.
"Friends, huh... here, let me see," Katie said.
Rex handed his phone to Katie. Without a second thought, Katie—being a woman herself—immediately grabbed the two specific packs Rose and Ruby had requested. She tossed them into the cart and handed the phone back to Rex.
"There... it's pretty rare for a girl to ask a guy friend to buy pads," Katie remarked.
"Huh... is it really that weird?" Rex asked, genuinely surprised and clueless.
"Of course. No one really does that. Usually, if a woman asks a man for this, that man is her boyfriend or husband—and even then, only if they're in a total bind and can't go themselves. That's how it works," Katie explained.
"Oh, I see," Rex muttered, learning something new.
"Are they really just friends or are they your girlfriends? Pretty impressive to score two at once; you are handsome, after all," Katie teased, nudging Rex.
"No way... they're really just friends," Rex replied.
"Hmm... alright then. I need to hurry up and finish shopping to go meet John and Nora," Katie said.
Rex noticed a ring on Katie's hand. As he remembered it, two years ago Katie hadn't been wearing one.
"Are you married?" Rex asked.
"Yep... to John. Nora too," Katie replied casually.
"Wait, both of you married John?" Rex asked.
"Why do you look so shocked? It's perfectly normal. The three of us were always together anyway, so we just made it official," Katie answered.
"But is it actually legal to officially marry two people?" Rex asked.
"What is wrong with you? The ratio of humanity right now is one man for every two women, so obviously the government allows it—it's actually even encouraged. Oh, that's right... you're not used to it yet since you've only been here for two years," Katie answered.
"Yeah, true," Rex said. "Right... this is a weird world on the brink of the apocalypse. It's definitely different from Earth," Rex muttered inside his head.
"Well, you'll get used to it soon enough. Come on, let's chat for a bit at the cafe across the street. It's been a while since we caught up," Katie invited.
"Okay, let's go," Rex replied.
They went to the checkout together and, after paying, headed to the cafe across from the supermarket to talk.
***
That night, after chatting with Rex until late, Katie walked to her car. But as she opened the door, "clap," she heard something land behind her. Katie turned and was shocked to see a figure in a black cloak with black and white wings on its back. There was a halo above its head, and it carried a massive scythe. The figure's head was bowed, its face hidden by the hood, and a dark, sinister aura bled out from beneath the cloak, making the figure look terrifying.
"Who are you... don't tell me you're the Grim Reaper monster that's been terrorizing the city... fine, I'm not going to let you do as you please," Katie said.
Katie grabbed her carbine and a sword from inside the car, immediately preparing to fight the figure in front of her. "Yaaah!" Without wasting a second, Katie lunged forward, swinging her sword and firing her carbine at the figure. Every bullet and strike was blocked by a black barrier, and "shiiing," the Reaper casually swung its scythe and moved past Katie, who stood frozen and unmoving.
When the Reaper struck the butt of its scythe against the ground, Katie's waist shifted, and her body split in two. Then, the Reaper took flight and vanished into the darkness of the night. A moment later, the Grim Reaper landed on the roof of a tall building. She pulled back her hood, revealing that the Reaper was actually Rose. She took out her smartphone and replayed the recording of the conversation between Katie and Rex.
"Don't go talking carelessly about our relationship... and don't you dare chat that long with my Rex. Now... let's head home... and figure out how to deal with that sexy brat at the house," Rose muttered in her head.