My name is Marsha Gray, I like occult stuff. Ghost, vampire, werewolf, witch, magic, and etc. Something like that. I'm a second grade of Future High School.
And few days ago, i Heard a rumor. The rumor is involved my school so obviously I know about it. It seems like my classmate's friend act differently from her usual self. If its just that, i would not interested, but when i ask the whole story, it make me interested.
I mean, she saw two same person at different place but the time they saw their friend was short. They meet A and then they walk for a while and meet A again. Isn't it strange?
And then something come to my mind,
"Maybe it's her doppelganger."
"Doppelganger?"
"Yeah, you know, an existence that looks exactly like you, and when the two of you meet, one of you Will disappear."
"But isn't it just a story? I don't really think they are exist."
"Marsha, you read too many occult story."
The other girl began to laugh at me. But, well, it's normal for them to think it was just a joke. I don't even know if there's someone other than me who believe about that kind of stuff.
But nonetheless, i believe they exist. Maybe we just hadn't meet them yet. Maybe they just hiding in the shadow without no one knowing. Maybe their number is small so it's hard to find them. Maybe they hide themself as human and living a normal human live. Or maybe there's someone or something that hide their existence, so normal people wouldn't know about them.
Before we continue the topic, the bell's rang. The class Will start soon so we back to our seats. Not long after that, the teacher also enter the class and start the lesson.
–
The school is come to an end. When i walk towards the school gate, i saw a girl with short brown hair to her neck and black eyes wearing a glasses. She is my friend, my childhood friend. I guess i can say that she is the only person that really close to me. Of course i have friends beside her, but she is the only one that i can call my best friend. Sadly our class is different, and that of course make me sad. But everyday when i go to school, or when i go home from school, we always walk together.
"Agiri! Sorry to make you wait."
She is Agiri Fall, also a second grade.
"It's ok. I'm not waiting that long anyway."
"Hehe, thanks. Then let's go home."
"....."
As we walk, suddenly she become quite. Her eyes look at me as if questioning something.
"What's wrong?"
"I know you are interested in the rumor."
"....Yes."
I'm not surprised a bit. She is my best friend, so it's natural that she knows what I am thinking. But of course she dont know all of them since she can't read someone's mind. But mostly, she can guess what i'm thinking.
"You know it's dangerous right?"
"Yes."
"You also involved in many rumors like this, and then you were found unconscious on the ground, or on a bench. It's too dangerous!"
"Yes, and you already said that many times, but you know my answer right?"
"...I know. But i'm still worried."
"I'm really thankful about that, Agiri, really. But you know i can't stop. I want to know about their existence. I want to know if they really exist or not. Until now, i just believe they exist. But part of my heart also told me that they do not exist. And i want to erase that part."
Hearing that, she lowered her head, seems sad. She is a good friend, a good best friend for me, sometimes i even think that she is too good for me. And i'm grateful about that, and i also proud about that. But like i said, i want to know about their existence. Believe is not enough to fill my curiosity.
Also, as she said, I was already involved with this kind of rumor before. I don't remember how many times I've been involved, but every time i'm searching something about the rumor, i lost my consciousness in the end. I feel like i'm so close to reveal the truth, but when i just need one more step, something prevent me to take that one step. I also feels like i already know the truth but somehow i forgot about it.
"I'm sorry, i can't accompany you. I'm too coward for something like that."
"It's okay, Agiri. Just as always, i Will do the sweaty part, and you Will handle the brain part, okay?"
She just nodded. Her mood seems getting better. I'm not good with word, so i don't know how to lighten her mood, but i'm glad she doesn't feel sad anymore.
After that we just change the topic and continue walking to our home. Our house is not that far from the school, but still it took time to reach it. After we arrive at our own house, I changed my clothes into a more comfortable one, and I began to go out again.
There's no one in my house so there's nothing i can do in the house anyway. My parents are workaholics, so they are rarely in the house at this time. They off to work early morning, and back at late night. Well fortunately because of that we never run out of money even though i use a lot of them.
Anyway, I changed into a yellow jacket with white t-shirt inside and gray long pants. After that i take my black-yellow shoes and set off from my house. I also have my backpack. Inside it was tools for self-defense mostly. There's also a camera inside. That's why i decided to go home first and then back to school again.
When i was arrive at the school entrance. I saw a suspicious person. He wear a black cloak and black suit inside the cloak and a black half-top hat. He looking around inside the school from the entrance gate, seems looking for someone, or something. Since the distance between me and him is a bit far, i can't see his face.
It's a bit dangerous to approach a suspicious person, but comparing to the danger that i already experience, its nothing. I also have my self-defens tools with me.
"Excuse me."
"Hm?"
After hearing my voice, he turned his back and looked at me. When he saw my face, his eyes seemed to know me and he said something but i can't quite hear it.
I finally saw his face. He have a black hair with black-red eyes. His eyes is quite big and round. His face also not that handsome but not ugly either. But i can't feel any charm come from his face. Even if i pass him when i walk, i'm sure i Will not recognize him. But that is if he wear normal clothes. With that black cloak and half-top hat, it makes him more recognizable.
"Ah, good evening." He said with small smile on his face.
"Good evening, mister. What are you doing in here? You look suspicious, you know?"
"Hahaha, no no, i'm not suspicious person. I'm a detective." He said while giving me his name card.
What written on the card is his name and his job. It seems like he really a detective.
"Your name is Atris Aqua? What a strange name."
"Yeah, i Heard it a lot. But i quite like the name. You can call me Atris, or Aqua. I'm prefer you call me Atris though, because i like that name."
"Hmmm. Then Mr.Aqua, what are you doing here?"
"I'm investigating something. One of this school's student requested me to investigate it, so here i am. Though since i'm outsider, I can't go inside the school even if I want to."
"What are you investigating exactly?"
"Well, she said her classmate is act differently from her usual self. My client want me to search the reason. Enough about me, what are you doing in here?"
"Ah, to be honest, i also planning to investigate that matter too."
"Why?"
"Well, this sounds crazy, but i think she is a doppelganger."
"Doppelganger? Hahaha, you read too much occult stuff." As expected, he also think it was a joke.
"You can laugh as you want, but i believe it."
"Well, even if it's true, isn't it too dangerous for you to be involved in this matter?"
"It's ok, even if i look like this, i know self-defense. I also have tools for self-defense in my backpack."
"But it still dangerous you know? If its really true she is doppelganger, that means she is not human. She is monster. Even if you have the tools, it may be not effective against it."
"Thanks for your warning, but i still want to know the truth. I have to know the truth."
Ignoring his warning, i walk towards the gate. The gate is locked, so i decided to climb it and enter the school. The day is already dark, so the security is already returned to his own home.
"Oi!" Mr.Aqua seems surprised with my action, but i ignore him and keep walking towards the school building.