Flashcards were sprawled across my desk along with my notebook and laptop. It was the age-old routine of studying. With a little assistance from the Pomodoro Technique, I was able to easily stay on my studies.

And that was with my main body working out right now. My 2nd clone was the one studying. SpookyErind was also in the room. She was on her phone. Or well, just on her phone. She got off and moved to my 2nd clone.

Hey, I’m going to sit behind you, SpookyErind said. Thankfully, I wasn’t playing any games or I would have died by now. Although, I would prefer if my concentration wasn’t fully broken. I scooted up otherwise she’d probably keep bothering me.

Thank you, she said as she sat behind me. She put her arms around me. Rather than just letting her legs touch mine like last time, she instead embraced my lower torso with her legs. Double hug! she cheered.

My main body sat on the chair of the Atlas Supermachine. Deen had just finished working out and decided to go study. But since my 2nd clone was studying, I’d figure I could continue working out. I felt I could go on for a while. Having a super-powered body was pretty energizing.

I originally thought SpookyErind was going to follow me. She took off her shirt, just leaving a sports bra and shorts. But instead, she decided to stay in my room. I kinda wished she went with my main body because now she was messing with my 2nd clone. And I was using that one to study.

“Is there a reason you’re doing this?” I asked. “I’m trying to study.”

You know I love you, she said as she brought her head forward. Even more of her body was pressing up against me. This is a great way to connect with you.

The fuck did that mean? I didn’t really understand romance, but even I haven’t seen anything about that. I was still mentally scarred from reading some of that stuff when I was younger.

Isn’t this way better romance though? SpookyErind asked.

“I don’t really feel anything special,” I said. “So no, not really.”

Maybe I should hug your arms using the Red Hood face, she said. You seemed to really like that last time.

“Last time?” I asked. She was talking about when she sandwiched my arms with her boobs as Red Hood. I could feel my face starting to heat up. It’s definitely because she’s imprisoning me with her whole body right now. Also, I really needed to finish studying. I was almost done.

You look as red as an apple, SpookyErind commented. Out of the corners of her eyes, I saw my cheeks beginning to redden.

“You’re an apple,” I said. Just keep focusing on the notecards.

She leaned her face forward so her cheeks were touching mine.

I might become one if you keep thinking about what we did, she said. Our hearts started beating faster and faster. It was impressive how in sync they were.

“I’m trying to study,” I told her.

I can help you study, she said. Ugh. Fine.

I was studying NatSec so a bunch of my stuff was over executive orders. I also had flashcards about Congress’s role in national security.

SpookyErind took out a flashcard.

What is the importance of Executive Order 12008? She asked, reading what was on the flashcard.

“The executive order directed the creation of multiple Adumbrae test centers as police stations and other places,” I said. “Ranging from physical tests to that helmet test.”

Good job myself, she said as she flipped the card.

Nothing on here was related to the egg pod test. I got goosebumps thinking about how someone would use it to look at my brain. Would they see SpookyErind in there?

Why would they see me when I’m in the real world? She asked. I’m hugging you right now.

“That’s not what I meant,” I said. “Still, testing is going to be a pain. The crystals you gave me are going to make it hard even with the suppressor.”

That just means they don’t like cool things, SpookyErind pouted. I mean, look at how beautiful they are.

SpookyErind released her right hand from her hug and held it out. Two tiny white crystals jutted out of her hand with gold veins spreading out from them.

It was beautiful, but that didn’t make testing any easier. It’d be something I’d have to deal with unless I ran away from home. Or well Deen’s home. And I really didn’t like change unless there were some benefits for me. Leaving my entire life behind? I’m not sure what price I’d pay for that.

SpookyErind took her right hand and grabbed my 2nd clone’s right hand. On it, were the same two crystals and golden veins.

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So beautiful, she said. My main body had just finished doing a set of reps for my upper body. I had the Atlas Supermachine changed so I could do some weighted crunches. Our body is so beautiful.

“Yes it is,” I said. “The most beautiful in fact.”

SpookyErind chuckled. It was a bit uncanny since I could feel her body laughing, and her chest heaving on my 2nd clone. I was reminded of how close we were. My 2nd clone’s body felt soft in her embrace, which was funny to say because bullets barely hurt me.

Are you having a great time with me? SpookyErind asked.

“No, I’m trying to study and with you here I’ve only gone through one flashcard,” I said.

But you’ve studied way more than usual, she said. I guess that was true. I did go a bit overboard with how much studying I had done. But I was interested to see how much multitasking I could do with my main body and 2nd clone.

Why not enjoy some time with me? she said. I don’t see how I could really do that. But as soon as I said that, she tightened my hug around me. While not a death grip, it was definitely more firm. She was only lightly hugging me previously.

A weird feeling grew in my 2nd clone’s chest. I could feel my heart physically beating faster as if a drummer was picking up speed. What made it worse was that I could also feel the same in SpookyErind’s body. I wanted her to stop hugging me, and I tried removing her arms, but she held on tight.

Are you really sure you want me to let you go? She asked. It looks like your body really enjoys my hug.

“No!” I exclaimed.

So you want me to keep hugging you? She smirked.

“I mean to the enjoying it,” I said. “Not the let me go part.” She simply kept smirking and rubbed our cheeks together.

Well, I’m definitely enjoying it, SpookyErind said.

“Yeah, that’s because you enjoy messing with me,” I said.

No, it’s because I love you, she replied. If I really wanted to mess with you, I would just harm you. But I wouldn’t do that because I’m you, and it’s kinda stupid to harm yourself. Rule #8 and all you know?

“I don’t understand,” I said. “Why are you trying to get me to like you if you’re just going to take over my body anyways?”

She sighed. Such a stupid question. I’m sure we’ll talk about it again tomorrow.

Huh?

Anyways, I love you because I am you, she said. Nothing more than that.

“I’m not sure I love you though,” I grumbled.

What’s so wrong about loving me? She asked.

Well, it was one thing to make a deal with an Adumbrae. Maybe people had a valid reason. The main one would be people not wanting to die. There were other reasons that were stupid, like wanting superpowers to have fun. But actually being in love with an Adumbrae? That’d be pretty fucked up.

I think it’d make a great romance story, SpookyErind said. They should sell it and make a movie series out of it.

That was one way to get yourself arrested. Nobody would have the balls to make the movie. Not even me. I mean, I didn’t have balls, but the point still stands. The fuck am I talking about?

Anyways, most romance stories suck. Their plot is stupid. Their relationships are stupid. Their characters are stupid. Even their romantic scenes are stupid.

I don’t think we’re stupid though, she said. And I don’t think the love between us is stupid.

“I mean we’re definitely smart,” I said. “I just don’t think I love you. How could I be in love with an Adumbrae anyways?”

I’m a Corebring, she said. I rolled my eyes. Do you doubt me? I can show you my Core. Let me take off my sports bra.

“Please don’t strip in front of me,” I said. My main body was now doing leg exercises with the Atlas Supermachine. I had brought a towel there so SpookyErind wouldn’t try wiping me again.

Why not? She asked with a grin. You’ve already seen yourself naked, and I’m you. Or is it that you don’t want to admit that I’m a Corebring?

I didn’t really understand how any of this Corebring stuff worked, so she could just be pulling shit out of thin air. Hey! Maybe it was possible for Adumbrae to become Corebrings. Is that how Overseers and High Overseers were made?

That doesn’t make sense, she said. We’re not as powerful as one of them.

“I guess you’re right,” I said.

But we could be in the future if we keep eating, she said.

Wasn’t that how some Adumbrae got bigger? The science really wasn’t known for average citizens like me - they didn’t want other people trying to become Adumbrae - but there were rumors some Adumbrae turned more monstrous and powerful after eating humans and even other Adumbrae. What if I ended up turning into one of those giant ugly monsters they’ve shown on the news?

You’re not going to turn into an ugly monster, SpookyErind said.

“Really?” I asked. I didn’t know what her end game was.

You’re going to a beautiful powerful monster, she said. Oh right, my Red Hood face still had her giant feminine features even when she grew fur. I wondered what would happen if I ate too much. Would I just get stuck in that form? Is that what SpookyErind meant? That was pretty creepy to think about.

No, you’ll always be able to turn back into your cute self, she said. Anyways, I’ve been having a great time connecting with you. We got to share some important deep moments. I felt goosebumps grow on my arms.

“Does that mean you’re going to let me go now?” I asked.

Your body definitely doesn’t want me to let you go, she giggled. Our cheeks had simmered red for a while, but I was able to plow through our conversation. Realistically, they should give me the best multitasker award. Even with her attempts to mess with me, I still came up on top. Maybe it just meant I was becoming immune to her messing with me.

I think it means you don’t mind my love, she said. I wasn’t sure that was the conclusion she should be coming to.

Anyways, I definitely was not going to get any studying done like this. I guess I could relax. I had my 2nd clone grab her phone.

What are you going to play?

I was thinking of playing Vroom, Vroom, Go! Also known as VVG. An addicting car game where you try bashing the other driver’s head in. My description was probably more brutal than what was on the app store. They probably had something cutesy on there, but it’s been way too long since I downloaded the app to remember what is was.

SpookyErind released her hands from me and grabbed her phone out of her pocket. Her legs were still hugging me sadly.

I bet I could beat you in a match, she said.

“No you won’t,” I had my 2nd clone say.

Are you sure about that? She said with a grin.

“I’m sure,” I said confidently. I had been playing this game for over a few years. I was probably the best. There was a leaderboard, but I hadn’t checked it. It probably said #1 - Diner_Wellhart on it. Back when I was a kid, I knew not to use my real name. Unfortunately, I couldn’t come up with anything cool, so I just mixed up the letters in my name, and thus Diner Wellhart was born. Besides, who was going to connect that to me?

I opened up the game, and SpookyErind did as well. I was going to beat her so hard into submission, she’ll wish she never played against me.