She looked a little embarrassed when I complimented her pretty face. "Uh. It's been a while since I heard that compliment from someone else. But it seems like you're the one who complimented me like that again. To be honest, before I changed my appearance to look more manly, I often received such compliments."
 
Oh did my words just now make her feel uncomfortable?
 
"I'm sorry if it made you feel uncomfortable but I think, you have a special uniqueness in your face. Don't take offense to my words, but you look even more attractive because of that uniqueness."
 
Regen smiled slightly after which he took a deep breath before continuing. "It seems you were right."
 
"What brings you here? You don't seem to be from here?" I asked curiously. The question I asked her might sound cheeky, but I knew it was a good enough question for me to ask her. It wouldn't be fun if I let our conversation just stop.
 
"A bit of work and responsibility to take care of my family. It's more or less like that," she replied briefly. It seemed like she didn't want to elaborate on her reasons for telling me why she was there.
 
"I see." I didn't care about the answer she gave. It was her privacy, I didn't need to pry too deeply if she didn't want to tell me.
 
"What do you do, you look young. Do you look like you're still a student?" Regen asked.
 
"Final year student, for now, I'm busy looking for a job. You know the dilemma that people like me usually face, right?" I looked at Regen meaningfully. Hopefully, this stranger could give me important information about job openings. That was exactly what I needed right now.
 
"Common problem. Classic, I understand how you feel," he said in a voice that sounded sympathetic. "I want to help you but unfortunately, I'm also unemployed so I can't help you too much. But I will help you if I know of any job openings that you are looking for," he promised.
 
"Thank you. But how can you survive here, I mean, forgive me for my impolite question. But you said, you don't work, how can you survive in a country like this, if you don't work to make money?" My question probably sounded more like an insult. But I wanted to ask her about this.
 
I secretly tried to watch the look on her face. Whether she would take offense to my question or not. And lucky me, looking at her face she didn't seem offended at all. Instead, she was a little shy.
 
"That... I'm saving money. During my stay here, I used the money I had saved before I came here. Thankfully, I saved a sizable amount. I think I can get by with that money. But still, the money will run out if I keep using it. Perhaps I should also look for a part-time job here," she replied.
 
"Ah, that's right. Let's try to do what we can. You also look young like you're not too far from my age. I suggest that you become a model instead. Utilize that handsome face of yours," I joked.
 
"That might be a good idea. I can try it later," she said happily.
 
I didn't know if she would take my words at face value. But she seemed quite interested in it herself. He was an optimistic person it seemed. This kind of person would attract a lot of people, to get close to him. Especially for the opposite sex. I wonder if Nakamori would also be interested in him.
 
After that, we talked for a long time. Without me realizing at all, that there was a black shadowy figure watching the two of us from a distance.
 
***
 
Poppy's name... she's terrible. She was born from the darkness. Came to wreak havoc. People who meet her signify that darkness has come into that person's life. She is like an angel of death. Came to tell the people she met, how the darkness would come into their lives.
 
He is dark and terrible. Almost like the devil. Many people equate him with the devil.
 
He exists to give terror. But, if people can understand him well, he is not a terror that should exist to be feared. She is there to make people understand that fear should be faced with courage, not fear.
 
Poppy is not a scary name if only the people she meets understand that she is not a terror. The darkness itself is not there to make you feel afraid, it is there to create courage.
 
He who is present in the darkness is not that bad. He exists to help others understand how the world works.
 
***
 
Regen wasn't sure if he was dreaming or not. But this time, again he felt that he was having an absurd experience.
 
The mirror in his room suddenly made a strange sound. It was like someone was trapped inside.
 
Regen was honestly a bit scared. But on the one hand, the curiosity in his heart was growing. Inevitably, his feet walked towards the mirror. When he stood right in front of the mirror, Regen could see the figure of someone who looked so similar to him.
 
That figure had an appearance that resembled him. But he looked very beautiful dressed up exactly like a woman. Regen was confused, looking at the figure. Plus, the figure seemed to stare at him for a long time. Regen was not sure whether the figure was himself or not. But he felt connected to her.
 
Regen touched the mirror and a miracle happened, where the figure pulled his hand and entered there. He was surprised to find the figure pulling his hand, bringing him inside the mirror.
 
***
 
Regen opened his eyes and to his surprise, he found his other self, smiling broadly while choking him.
 
"You... you should never have existed in this world. There is only me and one person who has the right to be MYSELF!" The figure that resembled Regen, struggled to strangle Regen's neck.
 
"Urgh... le... pa... sss ...." Regen pushed away the figure. He tried to release himself.
 
The figure still did not want to let go of Regen. He was still choking Regen's neck.
 
Unwilling to give up so easily, Regen punched the person in the face. In just one punch, the figure released him. After being released, Regen locked the person's body. But the figure that resembled him, did not want to give up either. He kicked Regen, then rolled over and climbed on Regen's body.