Hi guys! Hope you're having a good weekend! Just dropping by for an update or two. I still gotta make that up. Anyways enjoy!

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“What?!” Maiko hissed at me as she met me and Akito outside of class. I nodded, “I made my decision. I’m going to the Koizumi’s house to sleep over.” She looked at me with wide eyes, “What if they're actually the killers?” I raised an eyebrow at her, “I don't think they would hurt me right now. They seem to trust me enough.”

Akito argued, “Yeah, they trusted lots of people, but they always end up on their bad side.” I shook my head, “Alexandra is more naïve than Rosalina is. If they were hiding anything, I’m sure Alexandra would spill.”

“Even if it was murdering someone?” I reminded, “We can't be sure of that yet. I’m sure we will be if I go to their house.”

“Is spending the night really necessary? I think that's trusting them a little too much.” Maiko frowned. “I have to take chances now that my time is getting slim. This might have to do more with their curses than we think. Maiko, why don't you go and try to talk to Michael while I’m gone?”

Maiko gasped at me, “Michael? I don't know what he typically does after school, just how am I supposed to even find him to talk to him?”

I replied, “Just look for him, find him, and ask him a few questions about the things that have happened recently involving the thing last night.” Maiko whined “Wasn't that your job today during classes?”

Akito countered, “Actually, maybe you’d connect to him more since you're about his age.”

“That doesn't make him any less different than he already is! I don't understand him.”

“No one does.” I chuckled. “Hey, you're the one that was all excited to help me. Please, try and at least get something. The sooner we get to figuring out who and who isn't a suspect, the sooner this whole thing will be over.”

Akito patted Maiko on the head, “Good luck, sis.” Maiko sighed, “Alright, for you, Ritsuko.”

“Thanks, Maiko. Thanks, Akito!” I hugged them both in gratitude. “I need to go talk to Ms. Kobayashi real quick, then I’ll be at the apartment to pack.” I casually jogged toward the teacher’s office, (stupid running in the halls rules) and met Ms. Kobayashi.

Ms. Kobayashi was not hard to talk to at all. She was a sweet, gentle, patient teacher that anyone would go to for help. She did know when to be serious, though, and I was scared of getting that face from her.

I bowed in greeting and sat down, only speaking when talked to. “Ritsuko-” I jumped in my seat, squealing, “Yes?” She snapped me out of my thoughts.

“Don't be scared, Ritsuko.” Ms. Kobayashi chuckled. “I only wanted to ask something.” I opened my mouth to say something and paused, “So, I’m not in trouble?

She shook her head simply, “No. I just see you often distracted in classes. I was wondering if there was something on your mind or if I could help. After all, the disruptions in our class sometimes cause others to get distracted.”

How could I tell the truth while not giving myself away. “Well, you see, Michael is sort of… a little,”

“Different?” She asked nonchalantly. I nodded in agreement, “Yes.” Ms. Kobayashi sighed and looked out the window. “Michael is quite different. He’s been to all senior high school teachers and finally, me. I’m always seen as the last option for cursed students that don't exactly want to fit into what we like best for them. What most people have learned and what I have learned is that it is best to just let him do what he wants, with guidance and supervision of course.”

I nodded politely and let her continue, “Sometimes I think maybe he was too close to the cut to be in a higher grade. His birthday was kind of an awkward day and so we chose to send him to the higher class. It might have given him more time to mature, though. He’s in his own world and we can't manage to snap him out of it. I don't blame you for this, Ritsuko. Many students have brought him up before, but we just can't seem to fix him.”

“Maybe it isn't that he needs fixing, maybe it’s just that he feels like he needs to be understood.” Ms. Kobayashi nodded, closing a file up and putting it in a drawer. “Maybe so. It's nice of you to make an effort to try and tolerate him, but if you want to move seats, I could arrange that.”

I shook my head and waved my hands over myself, “No, no, it’s fine. I don't let Michael distract me often, it’s just that today in science, I saw wrongly. Please forgive me of my mistake, Miss.”

She smiled at me and nodded. “I’m so glad you feel that way. I just hope you can get back to being yourself now. You’re one of the smartest students right next to Dominic. I’d hate to see you slip in your grades.” The mention of Dominic almost made me flinch. “I understand that these things happening in town might be starting to affect you. It has done that to many of the students and not just the ones in my class. Thank you for talking with me, Ritsuko. I hope you're ready to get back into class tomorrow.”

“Yes, Ms. Kobayashi.” I beamed and bowed to her, walking out of the office. Now, it was, to the twins’ for an unpredictable sleepover.

Maiko helped me pack pajamas and quickly washed my uniform for me. She was actually helpful despite my disagreement with her about spending the night with Alexandra and Rosalina.

On my way out, already packed up and ready to go, Akito and Maiko left me at the door. “Be careful, Ritsuko.” Maiko warned. I nodded.

“Are you sure you don't want one of us to go with you to their house?” I shook my head, “I’ll be fine, Maiko.” Maiko crossed her arms, “I’m still not sure about this.”

Akito stepped forward, “Well you ought to at least be safe, though I trust you to take care of yourself.” He took my hand and I heard him say, “Open your hand.” Complying, I opened my palm and blushed. He was holding my hand again.

Akito then dropped a small pocket knife into my hand. I clenched it in my hand and looked up at him as if asking, you care about me?

I nodded with a small grin. “Thanks, Akito.” He stroked his dark hair back and nodded, “You're welcome. I just want you to be safe.” Maiko hugged me goodbye (quite stoically, if I might add) while Akito and I said our goodbyes in an awkward hand wave. I still didn't get over the fact that I hugged him earlier.

I made it to the Koizumi twins’ house after a bit. One thing was I did not expect to see Kyoko there. “Kyoko, I didn't expect to see you here!” I said as Rosalina let me in.

The brown haired girl smirked, “Ah, there she is! Ms. Akiyama!” Alexandra ran up to me and hugged me, “Oh, I’m so glad you were able to come!!” she still had her gloves on as did the other twin.

I strained, stifled from the tight embrace. “Yeah, me too.” Kyoko put her hands on her hips. “It's been a little bit, huh?” She whipped back some curly hair off her shoulder. “Yeah it has!” I hugged her lightly and smiled.

“Are you staying over too?”

She sighed and wiped her forehead, “Oh, I wish! It's way better than babysitting 5 little hyperactive children, luckily one is a baby.” She winked at me. Alexandra whined, “But it’s a shame you can't stay. It’d be a fun group sleepover.”

“Me too, Alex, but some parents aren't picking up their kids until 10 o'clock! I should go now if I wanna be there in time to receive the kids.” Kyoko checked the watch on her wrist and stepped away. Rosalina quietly murmured something that sounded like a “Bye, Kyoko.” as she let her out.

After Kyoko had gone, Alexandra turned to me, “Well, it’s just us tonight.” I replied, “That doesn't mean we can't have fun.”

“That's the spirit! Here I’ll show you to where you're sleeping. After that, Rosalina and I will finish dinner, okay?” She took my bags and walked over to a guest bedroom. The room was plain, only having a bed and dresser next to it. There was a big window on the wall next to the bed, though, showing a view of the yard where many of Alexandra's injured animals stayed close to.

“Beautiful view.” I admired. “Thanks. Rosalina and I just got someone to trim the bushes and the flowers for us.” She took her gloves off for a second as I turned around and rubbed the mark on the back of her right hand.

I noted, “You’ve been a little off lately. Is something wrong?” Alexandra pulled her glove back on quickly. “Um, well.”

“Why are you wearing those gloves now?”

“Because of my curse.” She muttered, looking down. I raised an eyebrow, “Really? What's wrong with it?” She took a deep breath and explained, “It’s been getting worse. It's almost out of my control now. I don't know why suddenly I can't control it more, but I don't want anyone getting hurt. It happened to Rosalina more. My therapist said to put on the gloves since fabrics seem to block the effect, but I’m afraid soon, my hands will destroy anything.”

I put my hand on her arm as she continued, “That's why, I’m afraid, I’ll end up hurting Dominic. I don't want that.” She whimpered as she held her hand up. “Don't feel bad. Who knows, it might get better soon and you won't have to worry about it.”

“How could that happen?” She chuckled in disbelief. I looked at her eyes and said, “Hey, don't be negative. I always believe there could be a happy ending to everything. Even if it is a curse or something like that, there can be a solution.”

Alexandra hummed, “You speak in fairytales sometimes, Ritsuko.” I didn't know whether to take this as a compliment or insult. “I like that about you, though.” She smiled at me.

Rosalina seemed to appear out of nowhere as we both turned around. Her hair was put up in a ponytail and she didn't wear her gloves. “Oh, Rosalina. Hi.” Alexandra chuckled, her voice slightly shaky. Quietly, Rosalina nodded her head toward the kitchen. “Alexandra, could you help me with the vegetables?”

“Oh, of course!” Alexandra took my hand and walked me out the room. I hesitated, “Uh, Alexandra, you don't have to do that. I could help her.”

Both looked at me with curiosity but accepted. “Sounds great! That way, you and Rosalina will talk and bond a little. Rosalina, tell her about your cooking.”

“Okay.” Rosalina said in her usual monotonous voice.

After that, I found myself chopping carrots as Rosalina cut pieces of celery up. She didn't speak much, but that was expected of her, since she wasn't a chatterbox. “So Rosalina, when did you learn to cook? You have some good recipes, you know.”

“I started cooking when we moved here at 13. My aunt gave me a cooking book and I remembered my mother's recipes and cooking. Basically, I taught myself.” Rosalina explained plainly. “That's nice! It’s a good skill to have. Especially for when you two-”

Rosalina looked at me through her hair strands which hung over her face. “When what?” I was struggling to decide to tell her what Alexandra told me months earlier. “When you had to live here.” I said briefly.

I cleared my throat after a few moment of deafening silence, “As I was saying, you have a talent for cooking.” She continued cutting her portion and accepted, “Thank you.” She was even more curious now, I could sense it. “What did Alexandra tell you about us having to live here by ourselves?”

Oh no, I dreaded having to answer, knowing that Rosalina was cautious and she didn't trust me much. Was it okay to tell the truth?

“Well, she told me that when you two were little, your house was set on fire and your parents were still inside. They ended up dying. She said you had to move with your uncle and aunt, but they thought it-” Rosalina stopped me and inquired, “Did she tell you why the fire happened?”

“She did…” I mumbled, trying to show that I wasn't posing as a threat to them. “You guys were angry at your parents and you decided to use the curse to set the house on fire. You didn't mean to kill them, but they couldn't escape the house.”

I don't know if it was me, but Rosalina was holding some celery tops in her bare hand, squeezing them. I thought I saw them slowly disintegrating.

“After that, you went to your aunt and uncle, but they thought it best if you lived by yourselves here, for therapy. That's all she told me.” Rosalina seethed through my words as if they were hot coals. “You're lying, aren't you? Alexandra didn't tell you that they thought it would be better for us to stay alone in a house. She must've told you the whole truth, right?” She asked rather calmly.

Hesitating, I stopped cutting and stepped back a little. “Okay, maybe Alexandra told me a bit more to that. But she only told me that your uncle and aunt didn't want you….since you were both cursed.” I looked down, “I told her I wouldn't tell anyone else if she didn't want. She told me it was- ah!”

Out of nowhere, I came inches away from the sharp point of a kitchen knife in my face. Rosalina was holding a knife to my face!

“You lied, Ritsuko.” she stated in a low voice, looking down. “I hate liars. They're a pet peeve of mine.”

“Rosalina!” I gasped, not knowing what to do. “Whatever Alexandra told you, she must've trusted you enough to keep it a secret from people. You had better not tell a single person about it.”

I nodded reluctantly and reached behind my back for the small knife in my back pocket. “I promise I won't tell anyone. I already promised Alexandra the same.”

Rosalina looked up at me with a dark look on her face, “Speaking of that, just so we’re clear on that too.” She lowered the knife to my chest and poked it with the tip. “I hope you don't have any ill intentions for my vulnerable sister. She trusts you too much sometimes.” There she went again, being condescending to me. I was ready to pull the blade out and stab the heck out of her, but I composed myself and simply stayed still.

She continued, “And I won't have trouble dealing with you myself if you do anything to her.” Her dark brown eyes were piercing into my vision as she got closer to me. I felt myself bump into a wall, accidentally dropping the pocket knife behind me. I stopped it from making a sound by using my telekinesis. “Don’t hurt her in any way, got it?” She threatened, pressing the end of the sharp knife to my chest.

I nodded in obedience and said in an evenly matched tone, “Got it. Now can we please go back to making dinner?” Alexandra called from another room, “Rosalina did you get the vegetables in yet?”

Rosalina set the knife down and stuck her head out of the kitchen, “Almost, sis. Almost.” I took this as a chance to take the pocket knife and hide it in my pocket. Rosalina gave me one last glance, tucked some hair behind her ear, and finished cutting her celery.

No word of conversation was spoken the rest of the time. I was actually shooken up about what Rosalina did. She threatened me with a knife! Who knew what else she would be willing to do, especially if it was to protect Alexandra?

That put her on top of the list now. If she had no problem almost stabbing me with a knife, no doubt she’d be most likely to kill someone. But would she be violent enough to slaughter Emily the way she was killed? I wasn't sure, but I definitely kept my distance from her the rest of the time.

Dinner was kind of awkward, but I made sure Alexandra didn't get any wrong ideas about what happened with me and Rosalina. I knew she was the only one I could trust most at this point, but I didn't know if she would stay loyal to me or fake a friendship to protect a secret from me. I wondered how Akito and Maiko were doing.

After dinner, I helped Alexandra wash dishes. She seemed lost in her thoughts when I tried to talk to her, though. “Hmm?” She asked for the fifth time. I had been talking about the things that recently happened for 10 minutes, and I had to keep reminding her to listen.

“I said, I’m scared about these things going on. The police don't seem to be reporting anything to the public about suspicious people and who knows when something worse will happen.” Alexandra nodded, “I know. I just hope that Rosalina and I are safe. I don't want any more people dying. It’s already bad enough. I got other things to worry about anyway.” She stared at her hands for a few seconds and sighed.

I thought back to what Alexandra told me. Her curse was getting out of control, but was there a sensible reason to it? Could I somehow be causing it? “I do too. I can't believe someone would be evil enough to want to murder people. Who would do things like this? Especially here.”

“Like I said, I don't know. But I don't think the police will be able to stop them in time, whoever they are.” That statement made me question, “What makes you say that?”

Alexandra explained as she finished washing a plate, “In Crysolia, people have never seen anything like this. The police must know a little bit, but something like this is new to them. These people might be unpredictable. Police won't catch them unless they get lucky. By then, they might have wreaked too much chaos.”

I found this awfully bizarre to be said. It was as if she knew that these murderers would be caught too late. Only someone who knew their plans could be so sure of that. Me, not being in Crysolia long enough, even thought that what she said was off.

“Oh, I see.” I looked down, thinking what to do now. Alexandra looked at me and chuckled, “Well, it’s not like I know anything. That's just my guess.” she tilted her head to the side and shrugged.

“Okay.” I mumbled in an unsure tone. Something was wrong here. The twins must have had something to do with these things. They were probably directly involved with the murder, if anything. Why, though?

Later, as Alexandra tended to the only one injured animal she had (I think it was a bird), I looked around the house for something to do. I couldn't stand having to talk to Rosalina after what she did.

Surprisingly, Rosalina paid no attention to me as I searched their photo frames and other accessories on the dressers and counters. She just sat down, reading a book, not even glancing at me a second time. I tried to look as innocent as possible when I looked in some places that may have been almost an invasion of privacy or weird.

Nothing appeared out of the ordinary to me. I looked at a picture that caught my attention. It was a photo of a beautiful young lady in a garish dress. There was a man next to her in a nice suit, holding her hand. The woman seemed to have her perfect dimples in her smile, like Alexandra did when she grinned or smiled. Rosalina hardly smiled, but I noticed the same trait in her sometimes.

The man’s hair and eye color were so perfectly matched to Rosalina’s. Well, except that Rosalina dyed part of her hair. I always wondered why the twins dyed their hair like that. In school, the teachers made anyone who dyed their hair cut it off or redye it to normal. Why could they have it dyed when that wasn't allowed?

Back to the pictures, I noticed some other small similarities between the young couple and the twins. The woman had a small crooked tooth like Alexandra did. This made me chuckle lightly, as now I knew where she got it from.

“Excuse me.” Rosalina caused me to startle. She was right behind me. “Yeah, sorry.” I stepped back, then she put her book back in the shelf and pulled another one out.

Without even stopping to think twice, I asked her, “Is that your mother and your father?” She froze in her steps and turned her head to me. I didn't want to grab the picture, so I pointed at it. “That couple right there.” she stepped up to the picture and nodded.

“Yes. That's them.” I admired, “She’s beautiful. She also looks a lot like you do.” Rosalina grinned. “I can see where you get the hair and eyes from, too.” This made her blush slightly. “People always said we were a peculiar pair of twins. We were a mix of our parents, yet we had a little of our identical selves…” I looked at a picture next to the first one and saw the twins as little girls. They were dressed up in lacy dresses. Their parents stood behind them, proudly smiling.

“You always dressed up, huh?” Rosalina shrugged, “It was a special occasion. We were having a party for our 10th birthday. We don't always dress up. It's just that our family is quite a wealthy one that likes to go to parties and stupid things like that. Associating with other rich people. I didn't enjoy that life as well, but my parents understood that and kept our lives as normal as possible.”

I looked at her, “You two are pretty girls.” She mused, “Just not very happy ones.” She looked down, kind of gloomy looking. She was shutting down again and I would lose the conversation soon. She walked back to her chair and opened her book, biting her nails unintentionally.

I read the title and my expression lit up. “Kafka on the Shore.” I named it. Rosalina looked up at me suspiciously. I pointed at the book, “By Haruki Murakami.” Rosalina turned the cover of the book and looked at me, “Yeah. It’s a more popular book of his.”

“I never got to read that one, though it’s a popular one, but I have read most of his other books. Is he your favorite author?” I sat down next to her. She stated in her quiet and simple voice, “I like books from Natsuo Kirino better. They’re interesting.”

“Oh, I’ve heard of her. Real World is my favorite of hers.” Rosalina turned the page to her book and said, “I have that one. I also have Out and Grotesque. Her writing is very interesting.”

“Do you like this book so far?” she looked at me. “You said you haven't read it yet?” I shook my head, “I’ve read a ton of books in my life, but I was never able to get that one.”

Rosalina stood up and walked to the bookshelf, skimming through the titles. She then pulled out a copy of Kafka on the Shore, the same book she had. “Here.” She offered it to me and I took it. “Whoa! Thanks. I can borrow it?”

She shook her head, “No, you can have it.” She sat down again and read it. “What?! No, no, no, no! I couldn't take this book from you. It must've cost a bit of money.” She shrugged, “I always get two of the same book, just in case something happens to the first one.” She lifted her gloved hand and looked at me. “It's not a problem for you to keep it.”

I chuckled nervously, “I like the gesture, but I don't need to take it.” I held it back toward her. She insisted, “Keep it. I promise it’s fine. Take it as an apology.” she looked at her book and blushed. I thought back  what she had done to me earlier. I couldn't believe her! I was angry with her, but this was the one time she was doing something nice.

I was never sure if she was just doing it out of guilt or to show me that she was actually sorry. Was she showing me trust or was this a trick raising red flags at me?

“Oh… well then,” I pulled the book back into my arms. “Thank you.” I didn't exactly trust that it was an apology, but just to make her think I bought it, I accepted the book. I was excited to have a new book to read, as I couldn't take my whole bookshelf from home when I moved. It gave me something to do now. I decided not to press the subject of the accident to her, since we were both on cautious areas with each other.

Alexandra walked in, “Hello, friends! How did you two get along?” I looked at her from my seat and responded, “Just great.” Rosalina nodded, not looking away from her book. “Geez, it’s getting dark on us. We ought to be getting to bed soon, right?”

I glanced at the clock, “Yeah.” Alexandra prompted, “Hey, why don't we get ready for bed and we can go to my room and chat?”

A while later, we were all gathered at Alexandra's room, eating junk food past 8 and talking stuff about school or any other meaningless, stupid things that would come to our minds. I tried to focus on this instead of the great mystery  Unfortunately, though, we got on the topic of crushes and boyfriends. Alexandra didn't mind it, surprisingly. I thought she would have avoided it at all costs. I hated having to lie that I didn't have a crush.

“Are you sure about that, Ritsuko?” Alexandra teased playfully as she braided my hair. I blushed, “Yes, I’m sure.” Rosalina, reading her book, turned the page and casually said, “It doesn't seem like it.”

I looked at her, “What?! What do you mean by that? Who do you think I like that makes it not seem that way??” I put my finger to my mouth and looked away. Alexandra tittered and both twins simultaneously stated, “Akito.”

“Akito?” I asked in a raspy voice, “What makes you think I like Akito?” Alexandra giggled while she tied off the braid. “Oh, she’s saying his name so much.” I felt my face get hot as she said that. “It’s obvious, Ritsuko. The way you talk to him, the way you talk about him, even how you say his name tells it all.”

Rosalina agreed with a hum. “Your face always gets red and your voice gets higher.” I pouted, “Does not!” Sadly, I just proved their point with my voice going two pitches higher than usual.

Alexandra laughed, “Hey, it’s alright to have a crush. We can't exactly do anything about crushes yet until we graduate this year, thanks to the rule that we shouldn't be in any romantic relationships in school. Unless, of course, you did it like Kyoko and Kaito and secretly had a relationship.”

I gulped, “Do you think Akito knows yet?” Alexandra shrugged and leaned back on a pillow. She grabbed a pink stuffed panda bear and hugged it over her chest. “It takes a while for boys to get it. I don't know why they become so oblivious to our feelings. Maybe that's why they think women are so complicated. Other times, it just may be that they just don't want to face the facts.” She looked thoughtful, as if considering her own words. I put my hand on hers, “Alexandra?”

Her eyes went to me as I leaned back, slipping my hand away. Alexandra suddenly snatched my hand and held on to it. I flinched at this and almost instinctively pulled it away. “Ritsuko, I’m telling you this advice as a friend who doesn't want to see the same thing happen to you; don't let the time slip away from you. Don't wait for him to do anything, because you just might lose him.” I could feel her determination and disappointment to tell me. She must've felt the pain of that when Dominic had to tell her that he didn't think that she should like him anymore.

I just needed to tell you. You helped me, now it’s time I helped you. I nodded to her thoughts, though it looked like I was nodding to what she said. “I promise.”

Alexandra's lips curled into a grateful smile and she embraced me. “Good.” We both looked to our right to see Rosalina struggling to stay awake, reading her book. “Rosalina! You're the first one to start falling asleep?” Rosalina hummed and glanced at the clock on the counter. “It's 9:13 now.” Alexandra bit her teeth together, “Oh geez, we ought to get to bed if we're going to make it on time to school. I hope you don't mind getting to school a little earlier, Ritsuko. Rosalina and I make it there early to have a quick checkup with our therapists.”

I waved my hand, “Not at all. I’m fine with that.” Alexandra smiled at me, “Okay, great.” I got up and grabbed my pillow, “Thank you again for letting me sleepover, I’ll see you in the morning.”

“Of course! No worries, it’s fun doing stuff like this.” Alexandra said as she rolled up a bag of potato chips. Rosalina nodded and closed her book, “Yeah. See you tomorrow.” I waved to them, “Goodnight!”

“Goodnight.” They both repeated. Rosalina stepped out the room and went to the bathroom. I went to the guest room and got situated into my room. I laid in bed, wondering what Akito and Maiko would be doing, they’d probably be in bed too. Was Akito thinking of me like I was of him? I kind of hoped that he was. It gave me a warm feeling inside that I couldn't describe.

I held onto the pocket knife under my pillow, remembering what he told me before I left.

“I just want you to be safe.”

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Awwwww a little cute and kinda twisted chapter XD we look into the twins' past and see there is a possible danger with them. Will they try to hurt Ritsuko, or is everyone  the wrong people? Find out!