CHAPTER 1: Lonely Hide & Seek pt.1; Predictable Story.

"Breaking news. Today at the high school of Yamaha city, the body of a male student was discovered..."

The announcer said on TV as a picture of a familiar student pop into the screen. A boy with blond hair that was tied up into a ponytail stared at the TV screen with a seemingly blank expression on his face as the announcer continued.

"The police are proceeding with investigations and are considering the possibility of it being either a crime or an accident..."

He closed his eyes and bit his lips, wishing everything would stop.

-0-0-0-

"Huh? Where did the ball go?" A female student said to herself as she crawled through the ground, searching. "Geez, gardener-san, are you mowing the grass properly?"

She continued searching until she accidentally bumped into something. She squeaked and groaned in pain when she noticed bumped into someone's legs. "I'm so sorry about that, I had my head down." She apologized. The girl sat up. "Are you okay-" The moment she looked up, her eyes widened and she screamed.

Because she saw no one except the lower half of someone and the pair of legs fell in front of her while blood spilled out of the top.

-0-0-0-

"The first witness was a female student from the same school. According to her testimony the thing the girl had bumped into was only the lower half of the body, which was apparently standing on its own."

-0-0-0-

Around the same time...

A male student exited the shed with a sigh as he stretched. "Alright, thats about it for clean up." He said. "Hm?" He stopped when he noticed something a bit further away, near the back gate. "Whats that?...Eh?" He reluctantly walked up to it. He was very sure that when he passed by the gate, there was nothing there. He had a very bad feeling about this and started breathing heavily as he got nearer.

When he got close enough, he gave a terrified scream. There, right next to the gate was a student- or at least half of him- on the ground, lifeless and in a pool of blood. There was a trail of blood and he looked as though he crawled while clawed at ground like he was dragging his half body away.

-0-0-0-

"Here, there was another witness, a male student from the same school. There were traces of only the upper half of that thing dragging itself several meters along the ground...Almost as if it were moving towards its lower half...

It happened during lunch break, regardless of whether it was really a crime or not, not a single person witnessed anyone who could have been the culprit. In other words, it was a "locked room murder" with the room being the school itself-"

The boy didnt hear the rest as the rain from outside started to pour. All he could do was stare at the screen with wide eyes and a pale face while murmuring to himself. "...So it was true..."

Somewhere in the old school building, on the second floor. In a room, four voices could be heard inside.

"...Hey who told you?" A voice, obviously male asked. "Tch...Who is the 'Traitor'?!" Another voice which sound like a female demanded as she slammed her hand on a desk. "I-I wonder if we're going to die too..." Another feminine voice mumbled worriedly.

"...Calm down."

"Calm down? Do you think I can calm down in this sort of situation?"

"Come on..."

"We...dont even know for sure yet...it might just be a coincidence."

"There is no way that this is a coincidence!"

"Calm down I said!"

Silence.

"You dont want to die from getting any more involve in this, do you?"

"...Tch!"

"In any case, someone received a letter, which was seen by him...In other words, that means its all true...right?"

"Probably..."

The air turned colder than ever.

"The letter has already been sent to someone."

"Thats right, yeah...so thats why..."

There was complete silence. No one in the room could make a sound nor forget what that would mean...after one week passes, one of them was going to die.

"Hey..." One of the girls broke the growing silence. "What are we going to do? What should we do?"

"For now, all we could do is wait and see."

"...Since its the kind of case, they'll find the culprit quickly...right?!" One of the girls laughed and questioned the rest in a desperate tone, though there was a faint line of doubt in her voice.

No one in the room answers. Everyone were also doubtful and thought of the same thing. 'That is, if there is a culprit in the first.'

One Day Before The Incident..

The sound of a clock ticking resounded in the room and Len sighed. "How boring..." He mumbled. Len slowly sat up and then shivered. "Again?"

He tried to ignore it and stood, walking towards his cabinet to change. No one was in the house at this time because his parents would always leave early in the morning for work. Yup, he was left alone in the house whenever he leaves for school and yet...

Len shivered again and glanced behind him. Someone was watching him...

He felt someone's gaze on him for days now but there was no one behind him whenever he looked back and it was starting to scare him. Len opened the door and left the room before shutting the door behind him. He stared at the empty hallway in a daze.

He was exhausted, he lacked sleep because of his fear of someone watching his every move. Len slumped against his door and slid down from it, he laughed weakly and sighed. "I've never experience this kind of situation before..."

As twisted as this seems, Len thought this kind of thing was a terribly pleasant stimulus that made his ever so boring daily life a little bit more exciting.

"To think these conflicting feelings..." Len laughed but then looked grimly. "Can teach someone like me the pleasure of fear." In all honesty, Len thought that there was an answer for one's own self-analysis but his case, he would consider himself as a "pessimistic" person.

As Len tucked his feet into his shoes, he glanced back at the empty house and whispered. "I'm off."

Though the same words he whisper everyday wasnt exactly meant for anyone, it was thing he does to get through another uninteresting day in his life but those were the little words he could consider as his good luck charm.

He took out an umbrella and opened it as he walked into the rain. He stared at his reflection in the puddle before kicked the water and continued his way. It was so boring. Nothing ever interesting happens. Its the same routine repeated over and over again. Is there someone out there who could end this boredom?

"Yo Len!" Len looked back to see his classmate, who -if Len remembered correctly- was named Kaito, running up to him with an umbrella at hand as well. "Morning!" Len just stared at him before continued walking. "You're in a bad mood again I see." Kaito commented. "Thats none of your business." Len grunted.

Kaito laughed. "Even your reply is heartless." He remarked as he patted Len's shoulder. Len gave an irritated looked. He really hated this guy. He was just too noisy and wont stop talking. "By the way..." Kaito started. "You're familiar with all the rumors right?"

This caught Len's attention and tried his best to hold back a smile. Besides all the terrifying incidents he was experiencing at home, there was one more thing he found more interesting. Rumors.

Unlike others, he was obsessed with them. They just made things interesting. Made up or not, Len just loved a good story.

"Did something happen?" Len asked, trying to sound casual. "No...well just listen." Kaito grabbed his shoulder and looked at him seriously. "You're good friends with Kagami-san from the class next door, right?"

Len blinked. Rin? He just came to ask him about that girl?

Rin Kagami, the rumored girl. She's said to be the top class beauty of their entire school, almost everyone knew who she was, even though he wasnt the social butterfly like her. He had good reasons on why he was friends with her.

"Hmm I wouldnt say we're close but...did something happen?" Len asked while forcing a smile. He was rather disappointed that Kaito didnt ask him about any more rumors except for Rin's but then again he wasnt expecting much from him.

"No, well..." Kaito began, scratching his head sheepishly. "Do you know anything about who she likes or if she has a boyfriend...I was wondering if there were any rumors." Len's eye twitched in annoyance then he sighed one more time. The same old question, a lot of people started asking him stuff like this over and over again and it annoyed him to no end. Len didnt understand why they like that girl, just what was so great about her that everyone started asking him stuff about her...but then again...

This situation was actually very convenient for him.

"I havent heard anything like that...I dont think she does?" Len said. "If she did, it would already be a school-wide rumor."

Kaito deflated in disappointment. "T-Thats true." He said. "...Ah, but..." Len started with a grin. Kaito looked at him in confusion. "W-What is it...What happened?"

"Well, its not about her love life or anything but I did hear a strange rumor." Len explained which made Kaito even more interested. "Eh? Strange?" Len nodded. "Yeah, its quite an interesting story...it seems Kagami-san's impostor appeared."

Kaito's eyes widened and he gulped. "Impostor?" Len shrugged. "No, maybe I should stop after all." He said and turned around. "Its pretty stupid so dont pay any attention to-" As Len was about to leave, Kaito grabbed his shoulder. "Wait, Len! This is too important, tell me!"

Len grinned mischievously. See, he just took the bait. "All right but dont tell anyone." Kaito nodded. "Y-Yeah." Len mentally laughed. Dont tell anyone? Those small words were like a trigger to spread rumors like wild fire. Every single person has someone whom they think; "Its fine to tell them."

Social type tend tell someone sooner of later and Kaito just happened to be one of them. Without even knowing where the rumor came from, it'll spread as something that "could actually be true"

Len's heart thumped in excitement as he started the story with a forged look of concern. "It seems several people witnessed it." He began. "Kagami-san's classmate was going home late at night after her club activities, when she saw Kagami-san from inside the bus. She thought it was strange since Kagami-san's house was in the opposite direction, so it seems she sent a message."

Len saw that Kaito was really listening attentively to his story and he inwardly smirked. "She sent, "What are you doing?" and the reply came soon afterwards saying she was at home studying."

Kaito was speechless. "Could it be that Kagami-san lied?" Len continued. "But her neighborhood friend who was with her at that time confirmed that she was home." After finishing the story, there was a short pause between them. "Well, this story has gone around a lot so there's a rumor about Kagami-san's impostor wandering about-"

"S-So it was some kind of monster or something?!" Kaito exclaimed as he grabbed Len's arm causing him to drop his umbrella. It was a good thing the rain stopped, if not he would have probably punched Kaito for getting him soaked in the rain. But other than that, Len shuddered in slight amusement as Kaito rumbled on about how unbelievable some stories seem.

Deep down, Len was laughing his head off. He even smiled a bit at the dark school gates when they arrived. He had a feeling that things might turn out good- for him, at least.

For the others, it would probably be a very bad omen.

Len felt someone tap at his shoulder. "Hey, a note's being passed around." The person behind him whispered as he passed him a small piece of paper. Right, now Len was in class and already this was sixth time someone passed him a note about the rumor he told to Kaito.

As expected, rumors spread really quickly in this school and sometimes it would surprise him at how fast they seem.

As he walked through the halls of the school, Len could hear the murmurs of almost every student as he walked pass them. He couldnt help but smile.

For now, all he can do was hold his breath, step back and not stand out without being noticed by anyone. Without anyone knowing its all-made up, everyone will be interested in his story. After all, its his hobby to make up stories whether its on the school's online forum, chain mail, writing, forging letters. He didnt care, as long as the impact he makes goes well he was completely satisfied.

Using other people's tragedy, he could easily make them into an entertainment for the audience. In this world, there are only two thing. "Things that seem like the truth" and "Things that seem like rumors."

In Len's case, he just loves what he does. Spreading people's troubles through rumors and cause them even more problems was a fun game for him and people love rumors as he does.

Len glanced at his classmates as they rumbled to each other about the same rumor, Len just watched and listen.

"Hey, about Rin-"

"Even though she seems like a model student, right?-"

"I saw her too...going out night after night-"

Len took out his phone when it started ringing, feeling completely bored.

"I wonder which one is the impostor..."

It was no surprise that everyone was interested on Rin so it was expected that everyone was talking about her which often made her, Len's target whenever he starts making rumors, in hopes of making his boring life a little less boring.

Len laid his head on his desk and stared at his phone. He started to nod off tiredly, his lack of sleep finally kicking in. He breathed in deeply. Well, if its Rin, she'll probably realize it sooner or later and he fell asleep as the rain fell once more.

It was already after school and it was still raining outside. Len casually entered the old school building and in front of the music room of the second floor.

As soon as he opened the door, he saw three familiar students waiting for him, especially a certain girl. She had short blond hair that reached her shoulders and a large white ribbon on her head and she was glaring at him. He entered the room and set down his bag on a desk as he greeted lazily. "Hey."

The girl stomped towards him and sneered. "Oh dont "hey" me." Rin huffed angrily. "I dont really care about your bad taste but would you stop using other people as your topic?"

Len was quiet for a second before he forged an innocent smile on his face. "What are you talking about-"

"Dont act like you dont know!" She yelled as she glared even harder at him. Len sweat dropped. Yup, she was definitely angry about it. Len shifted his weight to his leg and shrugged. "I only meant it as a little prank." He said. Rin started trembling in anger. "You...Are you trying to get back on me now?"

"Look, if you arent careful, when people see your usual modest and elegant self, they're thinking 'Its an impostor!'" Len said, referring to her actions at the moment and Rin flinched. "Wha-" Rin marched closer to him, her hand curled up into a fist as if threatening to punch him while Len held up his hands in surrender. "Are you threatening me? I'm serious, if you dont stop right now...!"

"-But..." Someone cut it. The two looked at the girl with teal hair that was tied up into two pigtail who giggled as she watched the two "I think its wonderful that Rin-chan has a dual nature." Rin stopped and pouted. "Miku." She sighed. "Dual nature? You're saying it like I have a split personality.."

"Well, to be honest its at a level that it seems you really might." Miku laughed while Rin pouted even more. "Pfft." Another person snorted a laugh. "As usual, Rin has a soft spot for Miku, huh?"

"Shut up Mikuo!" Rin exclaimed at the similarly teal haired boy who simply sat on one of the desk with an amused expression. "But its not like he meant to tell a pointless lie..." Mikuo leaped to his feet and placed a hand on Len's shoulder. "Right, Len?" Len stayed silent.

Len was pretty sure Mikuo was just adding fuel to an already burning fire as Mikuo added. "Since, in reality there really does seem to be two of her." Rin glared furiously at Mikuo.

Len simply move to sit on a chair as the three of them continued talking. Although these three are really different from him there was just one thing they had in common...

All of them just love extreme rumors.

The only reason they get together in that old abandoned school building was just to talk about some rumors and urban legends, nothing more, nothing less. They dont hang out with each other like good friends would do but Len was perfectly fine with that.

"By the way." Len interrupted. "There's something that I've been thinking about recently." Rin raised a brow. "What is it?" She asked as she plopped herself on a chair in front of him. "Well, I dont know if its an unnatural phenomenon or not and it might just be my imagination but..." Len paused hesitantly. "When I wake up in the morning, I feel like I'm being...watched." This brought the attention of the others.

"I'm certain that I can feel someone's gaze on me." Len said. "Being watched, you say..." Miku joined in. "Are you certain its not just your family?"

"My parents leave early in the morning so its impossible..." Len explained. "How should I put it...I feel like someone's watching me from behind but when I turn around, there's no one there. Nothing. This has been happening a lot lately."

Mikuo scratched his head in confusion. "Something like a *Zashiki-Warashi?" He guessed. "If its Merry-san, it would be a phone or something right?" Rin added.

Len looked them with an unsure look. The good thing about being with these guys was that even though he would talk about things like this, they wouldnt think its a joke, in fact they would take it seriously. After all, they know how to enjoy rumors.

"There's something else...thats also been on my mind." Len continued. "Do you have some kind of idea?" Miku wondered and Len nodded. "The other day, Rin, Mikuo, and I...the three of us did kokkuri-san didnt we?"

Len's heart started beating loudly as he went on. "The following day, I started to feel someone's stare on me..." He paused for a moment. "Thats why...perhaps this has something to do with the "Bookmark of Demise"...is what I thought"

The air in the room suddenly went cold.

The "Bookmark of Demise" is a true rumor that was only told in this school in which each and every urban legend is written down on the "book of demise" and placed inside it was the "bookmark of demise" itself. They were said to be hidden somewhere within the school. The urban legend on the page where the bookmark is placed is to become reality.

The reason this same old school building that was now abandon was because ten years ago, an "unexplained murder case" occurred. Every student in the school should, at least heard that story once since that story has been handed down like a ghost story.

Why did that kind of event happened? It was because they obtained the "Bookmark of Demise."

Now, that Len thought of it, it was mostly due to that happening that they all became interested in rumors and right now, their one and only objective was solving the mystery of the "Bookmark of Demise."

After a week of searching, they found a worn out notebook from one of the empty classrooms and it was from those who had died ten years ago. It seemed like a group who liked gathering legends just like them.

Len couldnt even remember being that excited in his entire life. The rumors and stories in that notebook were completely different from the ones right now and it was thrilling but the most exciting and precious part in that single dust, worn out notebook was...

The method to obtaining the "Book of Demise" and "Bookmark of Demise."

That is, the game Kokkuri-san must be performed as said in the instructions. Unfortunately, they werent able to read the records about the days after they obtained the bookmark of demise since most of the pages were ripped from the notebook but nevertheless they gave them proof that the book and bookmark truly existed so...

Len shook his head. "Anyways the last attempt at kokkuri-san was a failure." Rin tilted her head. "Eh? Failure?"

"We werent able to obtain the "Book of Demise" or the "Bookmark of Demise" right?" Len noted. "Although, we didnt do it as said in the rules...but..." Len stood up and then grinned widely.

"Lets do it one more time."

Everyone looked at him in shock and uncertainty as Len grinned maliciously.

What they didnt know was...they were about to be involved with the worst demise game ever.

And thats the end of chapter 1! Its a cliffhanger everyone!

Hello everyone! its been a while, I said before I based this story out of a certain manga but of course, I might have changed a few scenes here and there and for those who have read the manga what do you think? Is it go or is it fit for the trash? No dont answer that...your answers might shock the hell out of me.

Anyways please continue reading this story if you like and I will highly appreciate it.

And to a special mention for Zhane17, thank you so much for following this story and I also cant believe your actually a huge fan of the bookmark of demise project. Im very happy that you like this story *hugs back tightly*

*the zashiki warashi is a yokai who is child-like in nature, it is prone to playing harmless pranks and occasionally causing mischief.

Thank you for reading and hope you read the next chapter!

-Yugao702