Hello reader! I am so sorry for not updating on time. It totally slipped my mind and I'm starting to think this book is losing popularity...let's get back on it please? I really worked hard on this and appreciate it when you leave some comments and votes on my chapters. Anyways, let's get into it!

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Waking up early to go to school, I didn't expect to beat Maiko and Akito out the door, but I did. Lucky for them, they were ready as well and just stood at my doorstep. Otherwise, they would have seen me fly out the doors leaving them behind.

“You're up earlier, Ritsuko!” Maiko called, catching up to me in a dash. I stopped and laughed, “I just wanted get a head start!”

She placed her hands on her hips and said, “Hey! If you want a real race, then let's start fair. Here to the school.” Akito came up behind us, stopping on his feet and turning around at us, “Can we not race today? It’s not like we’re late or anything.”

Maiko teased, “Oh come on, Akito. Running is good exercise.” Akito twisted his mouth, “Not when you’re on your way to school.” He walked on. Maiko and I looked at each other and let out a giggle, then followed Akito to school.

For some reason, at wardrobe check that morning, Michael made it on time. That was one of the only times I saw him come early enough for that everyday check up. We lined up the same way as we did every day, by grade level. I saw Mr. Shinonome stop at the twins which was strange. One of the twins quietly explained something to him and he nodded.

That's when I saw what was wrong; both twins were wearing gloves over their hands. We weren't allowed to wear accessories like that, and it wasn't cold outside. I glanced over at akito next to me and nodded as he eyed the twins’ gloves too.

What’s with that? I couldn't ask them at the moment, I needed to wait for the right time.

Nothing else particularly strange happened, unless you count Maiko’s always forgotten top button. She never cared to button that last one for some reason. We broke the line up, as ordered, and went to our classes to get settled in. Maiko patted my in the shoulder as a goodbye and good luck in class and my mission. She kept that more discreet than I thought she would.

Maiko took my hand and slipped something in it. “I think you might need this.” I looked down momentarily to see a small plastic bag with red, yellow and green apple slices in it. “The twins are up to their games again.” She mumbled and stared down the pair of sisters walking to class.

I realized that today, the girls both wore their hair down. Their wavy strands of red and black identical to the other one’s. Alexandra kept her bangs well hidden to match Rosalina, as she had none. “Thanks, Maiko. I forgot about these.” I said casually, stuffing the bag in my lunch pack and walking toward class.

Akito came by my side, asking me, “Did you notice too?” I looked around, making sure no one was in earshot and nodded. “The Koizumi’s are playing the switch game. Maiko may have noticed before me because she gave me a little secret weapon to tell them apart.”

“Why would they be suddenly looking even more identical than before?” I shrugged, “Maybe they know someone is on their scent.” Akito nodded to me. “They could be covering something up too.”

“Probably.” I mentioned, walking into class as if nothing happened, when I took note of Michael having a little chat with one of the twins. I couldn't tell which one it was, because they were the same. The girl had her hands on her hips as she spoke quietly. “Hey, I’m telling you this because I don't want me or my sister getting into trouble.”

I decided to distract the conversation and walk up to them. “Good morning, you two.” I gave them a believable smile. The two dragged their eyes from each other to me. “Morning!” Chimed Michael. The twin smiled at me, “Hi, Ritsuko!”

The other twin joined the first and both showed no sign of suspicion or difference. “Wow, you two look nice today.” I saw one of them look down at their gloves then cross their arms over their chest. “Thank you.”

“Did you girls hear about last night and the dance?” I questioned, trying to pry some sign out of them. It was probably a foolish move, but I was tripped up with the identical thing that I needed to get something. “Oh, what a tragedy that was!” One cried. The other put her hand to her own shoulders and shook her head, “That was horrible! I’m really happy I wasn't there last night. We both get a little squeamish when it comes to things like these.”

I nodded in response while the other added, “Yeah, and we heard it was pretty bad.” I read one of their minds quickly while one of them went on about 'what they heard about the accident'.

Look at this girl. I really thought she could've told the difference between us. She looks like a fool, not even knowing which friend is which. Too bad their voices were too close to mimicking each other's that their voices couldn't give away. “Yes, it was really scary to see.”

“Well hey, I'm really glad to see you safe, Ritsuko.” The same twin that I had read comforted. And they said Maiko was a hypocrite.

Michael bumped one on her side and she jumped, “Hey, what do you think you’re doing?!” He eyed something and framed it with his fingers, “You're getting in my way, you know.”

On a piece of paper, Michael seemed to be sketching a graph with little stick figures on it. I couldn't exactly make out what he was illustrating, but it seemed to do with the whole class.

“What's that?” I asked with a kind voice. The twins took this as a dismissal and went to their desks. Michael explained simply, “Counting the people in my class. You know 11 students in this class have green eyes? 4 have blue eyes, including me, and the rest have brown eyes.” I followed along and praised, “That’s cool, Michael. But, what are those students out there for?” I pointed outside the graph at some figures with big x’s on their faces.

“Oh, those are the students that used to go here.” I found this quite bizarre to be counting classmates by color eyes and then leaving out students that didn't go to this school anymore. “Why would you draw them?”

Michael examined me and pointed out, “Hey, you're the only student that has red eyes like that in class.” I blinked and gasped. “What?!” He always found a way to change the subjects as he talked, but I assumed that was just part of him. “Yeah, they aren't brown but they're not green either. They're like red.” I put my hands behind my back, “Well,”

He interrupted me without noticing, “They're actually really pretty and unique. They remind me of the eyes of a witch or a monster of some kind. Maybe like a doll, even.” His sky blue eyes bore into my eyes, almost looking through them and into my soul. A chill went down my spine, making me shiver slightly.

I wondered what went on in his head. He was either actually hiding something or he was just an weird kid with a different perspective.

“Hey, Ritsuko.” Akito came up behind me. I stood up straight and chuckled nervously, “Oh, Akito, hi.” Michael greeted with a wave, “Hello, Akito.” Akito nodded, “Hi, Michael. Um, Ritsuko, by any chance do you have any extra pencils? I forgot mine.”

I remembered this as our secret phrase to ask if one of us had gotten any interesting information, (guess who came up with that one?) And I responded, “Yeah, I do. Here I’ll lend you one. Excuse me, Michael.” The boy kindly nodded and went back to his drawing of students. I went in front of him to my desk and reached down my bag as if grabbing some pencils.

“Geez, that boy. When he looks at me it's like he’s staring into my soul.” I whispered, leaned up to Akito. He leaned toward me and smiled, “Don't worry, he’s had that effect on me ever since we were little.” I tittered quietly and covered my mouth.

Our teacher came up to her desk and initiated our class with our everyday greeting and stuff. “I am glad to see all of you in good health and unharmed.” Ms. Kobayashi began, “The incident yesterday at the dance recital was a big one, and well… we can't have any more people getting hurt or killed. They just found out that two people were seen wearing black, running away. One was identified as female. The police said that the culprits might be specifically targeting young women or teenage girls. As of that, they recommended that you all minimize your time alone or in the evening outside. They do not know how many more people are in on this crime spree, but we can't take any more chances. Now, let's start math, shall we?”

Akito and I glanced at each other cautiously as we pulled up our books. The police already had proof that the person who murdered Emily and the one that cut the lights are the same, but what about those two that I encountered the night before. Could they be the twins? But then why would Michael come in and leave as soon as the lights dropped? Then again, like Ms. Kobayashi said, we don't know how many people are actually linked to the two I ran into.

I took a glance around the class. Dominic was writing something down on his paper, Michael was distracted by a broken eraser he probably found in the floor, Asher was just opening his book, and the twins were, well, being twins.

Classes felt like they were shorter than before. They went by quickly and soon it was almost lunch. I was writing a note down for my science class when I heard a small dropping sound behind me. I turned my head to the side when I saw a scarlet fluid dripping off of Michael's desk. Oh my gosh, that was blood!

I gasped loudly and looked at Michael, almost startling him into dropping whatever was in his hand. Everyone in the class froze and all looked to my direction. The red was dripping from his clenched hand as he held a piece to a pen in his other. It soon came to me that it was only red ink from the pen. Now that I realized, I noticed the ink was a brighter red than normal blood would be. I must have looked even more stupid for that.

“I was going to wipe it off.” Michael said casually, washing the red ink quickly with a handkerchief he got from his backpack. I couldn't believe myself for what I did. I seriously thought Michael had blood on his hands? He was lucky the ink didn't stain though. Who knew what the teacher would say then?

“Excuse me for the interruption.” I murmured, sitting straight facing Ms. Kobayashi. She gave me a strange look and then clicked her tongue. “Alright then. Continue working on your review questions.” Some students were still looking at me and Michael, though most of them went back to their work.

I knew I was probably gonna have to talk with Ms. Kobayashi in private. She told me as we got our lunches that we would have to. How embarrassing, I thought.

Akito and I seated ourselves at a table where we wouldn't be heard. I sighed, “Ms. Kobayashi wants to talk to me after school.”

“You're good at causing distractions to make everyone in the room turn around.”

“Oh, it’s only because I saw wrong.” I admitted, leaning closer to him, “I thought Michael had blood on his hands.” Akito shrugged, “I could've seen why you assumed that. Anyways, what about those pencils you were supposed to give me?” he chuckled

I glanced at the twins momentarily, “Something's off with those girls. First, they suddenly decide to change their looks, they're allowed to wear gloves, and I read one of their minds this morning.” Akito's eyes widened, “I didn't know you could do that.” I nodded with a sly grin, “Well it’s a little something I can do. I wasn't able to find out anything about them being there last night, but they seem to be setting up a game for me with this identical switcheroo thing. I think they're thinking they can trick me or something and cover their tracks with this.”

“Trust me, Akito. They're hiding something, and I want to know what. If they're involved with this whole sabotage and murder thing, I’m automatically involved.” Akito picked at his food quietly, it was like his whole demeanor changed. “I don't know how you can interrogate them without seeming suspicious. And I don't want to see you hurt. What's your next plan?”

I shrugged, “I don't know. All I know is what I’ve told you.” I popped a piece of fish into my mouth.

Almost as if on cue, the twins walked over to me. “Hey, Ritsuko!” I looked at them and grinned, “Hello, girls!” Akito still seemed to be trying to figure out which one was which. I opened my bag of apples that Maiko gave me and offered them. “Do you want some?”

“Heh, actually, we just finished our lunches ri-”

“Sure!!”

Bingo! I smirked. They already showed themselves by their reactions to my offering of Maiko's apples. I tried my best not to snicker as Alexandra grabbed a green apple slice. Rosalina hesitantly and shyly grabbed a red slice. “Thank you.” Alexandra chimed.

“You're welcome, Alexandra.” I winked at Akito who caught on immediately. Rosalina looked slightly irked at Alexandra falling for the trick. “Anyways, we just came over to see if you wanted to maybe come to our house this evening for dinner. Perhaps you could also spend the night.”

I stiffened up. I didn't know what to say then. “Um, well...maybe. I’ll…”

“She’ll think about it.” Akito interjected. Alexandra and Rosalina looked at each other, giving a small smile and chuckling. “Alright then. Let us know at least after school, Ritsuko, okay?” Alexandra said, offering a toothy smile where I could finally see her little tooth sticking out.

“Got it.” I chuckled nervously. When the girls walked away, I looked at Akito. “What am I going to do?” He shrugged, “I don't know. I was just covering for you. Are you actually considering sleeping over at their house?”

I picked at the remainder of my lunch. “I don't know. Do you think it's a good idea?” Akito seemed to struggle with the question, “I don't think those girls are trustworthy. All the other people that have tried to make friends with them ended up being more of an enemy to them. Besides, if you think they were the ones who attacked you last night, I don't see this going down well.” He propped his elbow on the table and set his face on his palm.

I was glad to know Akito was concerned for me, but I was still in a quandary about what I would do. “That's true.” I considered. “You could always say no. I really don't want to see you get hurt by them.”

“Thanks, Akito. But I think I would like to try to get them to talk. Maybe if we were in privacy, they would tell me more.” Akito didn't seem satisfied with my answer. “Whatever you think is best. But if you do need us or happen to change your mind, Maiko and I are always here.”

Grinning, I nodded and leaned back on my chair. “Now let's see about Asher.” I eyed him as he passed by, sitting down next to Kaito and talking.

Akito picked his head up and looked to the same direction. “Kaito has a soccer game today after school. Asher is sure to go with Kaito to watch. If you want, I could talk to Asher about what happened and I could see if he could be a suspect.”

The fact that Asher was disabled kept him close to out of the question. It was highly impossible for him to chase Emily down and kill her, and I doubted his ability to climb up a ladder and cut down those lights then slip away. Who knew, though? There were still a bunch of things I needed to cover before I could narrow it down to who or even if one of these people were involved.

“Thanks, Akito.” I nodded, eating the last of my lunch. Inside, I already decided that I would go to the twins’ house and sleep over but I was afraid of what Akito or Maiko would say. Would they let me go, or did they know something I didn't?

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Ooh, some pretty shady stuff is happening here! Do you think it's one of the twins, Dominic, possibly Asher? What if it could be Michael? Who knows! I hope this chapter was enjoyable and I'll see you all in the next which I am posting later today. Thanks, Reader-Chan! 💜