Hey guys! Merry (extremely late) Christmas and a Happy New Year! Now that I think about it, I dont usually make stories like this...you know horror and psychological stuff but I guess I tried.
Oh and in this chapter there is well a hint of MikuxRin but nothing too serious okay.
Anyways thanks for taking the time to read this story. I appreciated it!
CHAPTER 3: Impostor Advisory pt. 1; Perfect Impostor
In everyone's view, Rin Kagami was perfect.
"Rin-chan, you're so cute!" One of her classmates complimented. "Right?" Another one agreed. "And great style like a model, smart, and even a great personality. I really envy you!"
"Ehhh, come on thats not true." Rin laughed. "And you even have good reflexes! Its a shame you're not in any club." Her classmate remarked. "Compared to people that actually are in a club though, its really nothing." Rin said.
"Thats not true! And more than anything, you're really popular with the guys." One of the girls giggled. "Well, but its Rin-chan so of course she is!" One of the girls then playfully placed her hand on Rin's shoulder and looked at her seriously. "If I was a guy, I'd confess to you." Rin sweat dropped and laughed a bit nervously. "Really? Ahaha."
Then her classmate loomed over her with a smile. "So like, do you have a crush on anyone?" Rin paused and scratched her cheeks lightly. "Hmmm...I dont really know about that." Her other classmate snorted. "Y'know, honestly there probably isnt any guy thats worthy of dating a girl like Rin-chan." The other one agreed. "You said it. Anyways if you find a crush or anything, make sure you tell us! You have to!"
Rin smiled and nodded. "Okay, got it." The two girls squealed then the bell rang. Time for class. "Ah! oh no, class is about to start." The girls gasped. "Lets hurry!"
Rin had a different class and waved good bye to her friends as they rush to their classrooms.
That's right, Rin had to be perfect. She is perfect...
A Perfect "Impostor".
After all, all people their lives by wearing different "masks." Its a way to protect themselves and hide away their secrets. And Rin is more skilled than anyone at creating perfect masks. One reason she's so good at this was because when she was young, she would constantly transfer to different schools because of her parents' work.
How to not make enemies may sound a bit dark but thats just how things work in reality. How many people can she get to like her? How could she lessen the number of enemies? As a child, she would spend most of her time thinking about those kind of things.
It was a matter of survival. In this world, your reputation was all that mattered. If you dont want anyone to know your deepest darkest secret, the best way to conceal it was to put on a poker face.
To sum it all up, she was about to create "the perfect person" she is today. The one who is envied by everyone, the one who is relied on, the one who is liked by everyone.
But that isnt really her.
The kind of person who dwells inside her was the polar opposite of her facade. Cunning, easily angered with emotions always out in the open like a book. That was who she is. But she had to put up her outward facade everyday and because of that she always had the sense of isolation of not being able to truly express herself. It was like she was trapped by the people around her...
No one sees the real me!
Rin could still remember that day when a slightly unusual event happened. It all began with a small "rumor".
"It seems like Kagami-san used to be rebel when she was in middle school."
The small "rumor" was silly and childish in Rin's view but it affected her appearance greatly. Some of the students in school started asking her if it was true and of course, Rin would deny it immediately but the thing that bothered Rin was how fast that rumor spread around school. It was abnormally quick and it annoyed her to no end.
Rin punched a nearby wall as soon as she was sure she was completely alone. "Who could it be?" Rin sneered to herself. She grind her teeth in anger and frustration. Who is the culprit? She'll definitely find the person responsible of this, no matter what it takes!
But what Rin soon learned was that finding the culprit wasnt an easy thing to do. There were at hundreds of students in this school and no one was even sure where the rumor started. Every time, Rin questioned where they heard the rumor from, they would always give the same reply.
"I just did."
"From a rumor."
It was already getting annoying. It has been several days since the rumor and she still hadnt have any luck or even a clue about who did it. Rin was actually considering of letting this no-good troublemaker go but having a stubborn nature, she couldnt just let this slip by, despite the fruitless effort.
Until one day, she passed by the answer.
Rin sighed as she walked through the school's court yard. It was unusually empty, not a single person was around despite being lunch time but Rin wasnt complaining, at least she could move around more freely.
'Why does everyone keep giving me the same answer?' She thought as she continued walking while she huffed. She was getting impatient and stressed until a male student passed her by. He had blond hair that was tied up into a ponytail and light blue eyes, he also looked to be around her age.
Rin didnt take much notice of him at first until he walked passed her. She immediately noticed him, glancing her with an uninterested look and in that moment, Rin knew that this person was the culprit. He had to be! Her instincts told her.
"Hey you!" Rin called out. "Wait!" The blond haired boy stopped and looked back at Rin as she stomped towards him. He smiled. "Hm? What is it Kagami-san?" He asked and Rin raised a brow in confusion. "Um...this is our first meeting right?" She asked, feeling a little uncomfortable of a total stranger knowing her name.
"Ah thats right, since you're so famous it doesnt really like this is our first meeting." He said as he continued smiling at her but there was something off about that smile. The boy chuckled. "I'm Len, Len Kagamine. Nice to meet you."
Rin's heart skipped a beat. There was no mistake about it. He is truly the culprit! Rin stared at him intensely. "Why did you do it?" She demanded, not even trying to hide her suspicion. Len looked at her with confusion. "Hm?"
"Why did you spread that rumor?" She emphasize more clearly. The boy tilted his head like he had no idea what she was talking about. "Rumor?" Rin clicked her tongue. She had enough of this charade. "Dont pretend like you dont know!" She yelled angrily.
There was complete silence between them. Len stared at Rin, feeling a little taken back at her attitude a moment ago before he sighed. "Sorry." He said, shaking his head. "I apologize, but you're even more interesting than I thought you'd be."
Rin glared at him. "Shut up." She sneered. "More importantly, tell me the reason why you did it." Len glanced at her then shrugged. "Dont have one." He admitted. "It was just a bit of a survey." Rin looked at him in confusion, not understanding where this is going. "Survey?"
Len stretched out hands to his sides. "Right. Of how a rumor would spread. The way your rumor spread was extraordinary." She wasnt sure if this guy was complimenting her or just mocking her reputation, either way this person was someone to take lightly on. "What do you mean by that?" Rin questioned.
"When it comes to rumors, the content matters too but whats important is how you spread them." Len explained. "What you tell and to whom, the order how you let the rumor spread. If you dont consider all of these things, the rumor wont be convincing." Then Len crossed his arms and sighed. "Long story short, this is just something I like to do, the only hobby I have in my boring life."
Rin was silent as she stared at him. This person was a complete weirdo with very bad taste in hobbies. "Could you not use people for that kind of tasteless hobby." Rin groaned and Len waved it off. "Hmm, I dont know about that." He snickered. "Anyways..."He then gave a sharp glance towards her. "I'm more interested in how you knew that it was me."
Rin flinched in surprise. There was a pause in the air. "Because...you werent just studying people's reactions for no reason." Rin mumbled. Len blinked, surprised at the answer before he laughed out loud. "Thats pretty interesting!" He exclaimed as he continued laughing.
Rin, on the other hand gasped and clamped a hand over her mouth. Darn it! She said her true thoughts without thinking! She was at first suppose to lie but her mouth just spilled out the words so easily. She wondered why she was able to talk to this guy so...
"I wonder if its because we're two of the same bunch." Len said, breaking Rin's train of thoughts. "Although we have completely different reasons." He chuckled. "What does that even mean?" Rin huffed. She wasnt very happy with where this was going, she didnt like the idea of being lumped in with this weird guy.
Len then looked at her with a serious expression on his face. "We both live in awareness of people's rumors." Rin's eyes widened. "I do it by not standing out, while you do it be getting along with others." He then mused. "Well, although thats similar to my childhood friend, this level you're at is something to be feared." He said.
"...Could you not talk about people like they're some kind of disease?" Rin shuddered as she said this. This guy was...unbelievable.
Len stared at her for a moment. "You've been checking the surroundings for a while now." He noted and Rin flinched. He knew? "If someone comes by, you're gonna go right back to being the usual Kagami-san right?" Len then snickered. "Dont worry, I wont tell anyone." He turned around but not without saying goodbye to her first. "Well then, see ya."
"Hey wait!" Rin extended her hand like she was trying to grab him but he was already gone as soon as he turned to the corner. Rin growled in annoyance. "What is up with that guy?!" Rin exclaimed before she huffed and left as well.
And that was how Rin met Len.
After that, Len didnt seem to show remorse and just continued spreading rumors about her but this time, they were all in the form of letters that were so well written that its terrifying and despicable. And the rumors spread in a frightening speed that it was almost as if they were true.
Rin started meeting up with Len a lot to question him or scold him for all the trouble he was causing her. Those private meetings eventually made her join in the meetings in the old building.
"I know you're in here, Len!" Rin yelled as she threw the door open. She only came there in the old building was because she saw Len walking in. Of course, Rin followed him because of another rumor he created. There she met Len's childhood friend who happens to be Mikuo and the next thing Rin knew was that all of them started talking about different things, to be specific, rumors.
Rin soon realized that she actually liked things that had to do with the occult. Although Rin never felt any passion towards any activity in her life before, when she started hearing things about the occult, she felt a small tingle of excitement deep down inside her.
In particular, when she heard about what happened ten years ago about an incident where students died unnaturally in the school. It sent a shver up her spine from the feelings of both being afraid...and interested.
But in any case, she was now a member of a group that shares "rumors" of all sort after school and right now, she was playing as the perfect impostor once again.
And that was the way it should be...at least that was how Rin hoped it would be.
Rin climbed up the stairs to the rooftop. She thought that maybe she could have some fresh air before she leaves. It was already after school and everyone was already leaving to go home.
Rin opened the door and glanced up at the sky. 'Cloudy? How unpleasant.' Rin thought as she stepped onto the school's roof. "Rin-chaaan!" A familiar voice sang. Rin turned around to see the teal haired girl near a corner waving at her. She sighed and walked over to her with a huff. Just when she thought she would be alone for once. "As I thought you're here again, Miku." She said.
"Eh~ Its just a coincidence." Miku giggled and Rin sighed. Well, there was nothing she could do and sat next to her. Miku Hatsune was one of the member who knows about her dual nature and Rin was sometimes comfortable being around with her. Perhaps it was because she was the only girl in the group besides her.
"But you know, I never get to talk to Rin-chan like this so I'm happy that we can when we're here." Miku said. Rin blinked in confusion. "Why's that? Just come up and talk to me then."
Miku smiled bashfully and fidget her fingers. "But..." Miku started. "There's always so many people around you." Rin hummed. "Hmm, well you've got a point." She said while scratching her head sheepishly. "Well, you shouldnt worry about it so much, you know?"
Miku smiled and shook her head. "I don't." She said. "But I like Rin-chan so I'm just happy we're able to talk." Rin laughed awkwardly. "Thanks." Rin smiled back at her then looked up at the cloudy sky. "Kinda looks like its gonna rain again huh?" Miku looked up as well and nodded. "Yeah, it does."
There was silence between them. They didnt make a sound until they heard someone which startled them. "I heard that Kagami's impostor appeared." Since the two were hidden, they werent noticed by two other students that seemed to have arrived to the rooftop without them noticing. "What do you mean by impostor?" The other student asked.
"Like, while Kagami's in her house, someone that looks just like her is going around places at night?" The first student explained. "Eh? What? Like some kind of monster or something?" The other said. "I dunno but you know, Kagami's a nice girl so it feels like it'll build up."
What?!
Miku nervously tried hushing Rin, who was turning red like a tomato. Build up? Does he mean-? Rin glanced down onto her rather...small chest and clenched her teeth. It was a miracle that the two student didnt hear or even notice the noise they were making.
"Build up? What will?!" One of the students exclaimed and the other laughed. "Thats not what I mean. Youre taking it too far." The person chuckled. "But I heard there's people that really saw it." The second person hummed in understanding. There was a few minutes of talking before they left and the door closed.
Rin began rumbling to herself. A rumor about her...there was no mistake. 'Its Len again.'
Rin curled her hand into a fist and groaned. "How dare he..." She grunted. "This is the last straw!" Miku, on the other hand wasnt really helping instead she simply laughed cheerfully. "Rin-chan is cute when she's angry too!" She cooed. Rin stood up and huffed. "I'm going straight to the old building after school." She said as she walked back into the school with Miku following close by. "Alright." Miku agreed as the rain started pouring down.
Rin stomped through the halls of the old building while Miku followed behind her. The two stopped in front of the music room and Rin threw the door open with a loud clatter.
The only one inside the room was a certain teal haired boy who seemingly just arrived into the room since he was about to place his bag onto an old desk. He raised a brow. "Oh? You seem awfully angry today." He said as he strolled towards them. Rin huffed and marched to him with an angry frown. "Cant you do something about that childhood friend of yours? Mikuo."
Mikuo just smiled. "Ahh, that rumor? Isnt it a masterpiece? As usual, its the best. As expected of my childhood friend." He chuckled. Rin frowned even deeper. "Why you-" Before Rin could finish, the door opened again and Len entered the room. He stared at them or more like on Rin as she glared at him furiously. "Hey." He greeted simply.
"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?"
Rin could easily tell that Len was faking that innocent smile of his. "What are you talking about-"
"Dont act like you dont know!" She yelled as she glared even harder at him. Len just looked at her 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. Rin flinched. Did he just threatened her?!
"Wha-" Rin marched closer to him, her hand turned into a fist as if to punch him while Len held up his hands in surrender. "Are you threatening me? I'm serious, if you dont stop right now...!" Rin then heard Miku giggle, the two looked at her as she continued. "But I think its wonderful that Rin-chan has a dual nature." Rin stopped and looked at Miku with a pout. "Miku." She sighed. "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. Who side was she on anyway? "Pfft." Mikuo snorted a laugh. "As usual, Rin has a soft spot for Miku, huh?" Len agreed with a nod.
"Shut up Mikuo!" Rin yelled at him as he sat on one of the desk with an amused expression.
They continued talking and arguing about things that made Rin think. They always gathered in the old building for no reason at all until they made a small discovery which became their whole objective in meeting here.. That small discovery was about ten years ago about a group of students that had an interest in urban legends just like them.
And then there was the "Exchange Diary". Almost all the urban legends and stories in that diary were ones that they had never heard about which got them excited. And inside that diary mentioned the famous legend of the whole school.
"The Book of Demise" and "The Bookmark of Demise."
They somehow obtain these two items and...died those ten years ago. It was creepy and Rin was a bit disturbed as she could imagine how frightening it must've been.
Back to reality. Len started talking about someone watching him so intently and even suggested that it might be involved with the "Book of Demise." Rin's eyes widened and the atmosphere turned cold and heavy.
"Anyways the last attempt at kokkuri-san was a failure." Len said and Rin tilted her head. "Eh? Failure?" How could that ended up as a 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. Rin gulped as he continued.
"Lets do it one more time."
Rin wasnt really surprise...okay, maybe a little bit but somehow she knew Len would say something like this. He was always obsessed about rumors and investigating about them but sometimes it scared Rin on how determined he was. And so here they were, about to perform the Kokkuri-san game just like how the diary instructed. They were careful enough to follow the steps so it would end up as a "failure".
"Next, everyone will ask each other questions in turn." Len explained. "To start off, someone try asking me a question." Rin decided to volunteer and hummed in deep thought. "Okay, was Len's dinner last night made of meat?" She knew that was a stupid question but she had no idea what to ask.
Len seemed to agree with that since he looked at her oddly. "What's up with that?" He questioned. Rin blushed a bit and shrugged. "It was the only thing I could think of on the spot." Then the coin started moving. "It says "yes" so what did you eat?" Rin asked curiously.
Len paused for a moment before he answered. "It was hamburger steak." He muttered. Mikuo then comment how the hamburger steak at Len's house was good and wished to eat some but Rin didnt care about his opinion. Rin was kind of nervous as they chanted and the coin moved back to the middle.
"Then next is Rin." Len said and Rin blinked, feeling a little worried about what he might ask and she was right. "Does she have a crush on anyone?" Rin's jaw fell to the ground and her face heated. What the Hell!
"W-W-What kind of question is that?!" Rin exclaimed. Never in her entire life would she expect Len, of all people to ask such a question. She panicked and Miku then said. "Look Rin-chan, its not good if you dont calm down-"
To Rin's absolute horror, the coin started moving and she whimpered in embarrassment as it stopped. "So its "yes"...huh." Rin twitched. He didnt sound interested at all! "Hey! If you're going to ask, why're you reacting like that!" She yelled, grabbing his his collar tightly and Len put his hands up in an surrender motion.
"When I thought it over, I wasnt actually that curious thats all." Len said. Rin was trembling. Sure, she was creeped out by all this but in the same time, she was...hurt and embarrassed. Was he just thinking of using this information for another rumor? Seriously...he's so rude...
Len said nothing and Rin released him as they continued the game. "Next is Miku's turn. Here I go!" Miku blinked in surprise. "Okay." She said and smiled. "Go ahead."
Rin was a little disappointed and annoyed at how calm Miku was but asked nonetheless. "Does Miku have a crush on anyone?" Rin exclaimed and Miku didnt seem to react. "Are you fine with it being such a boring question?" Miku mumbled as the coined moved across the paper.
Len raised a brow at the answer. "Huh, so Miku-chan has someone she likes too?" Miku grinned at him. "Eh? Thats because I love Rin-chan." Rin felt awkward all of a sudden and sighed. It was no use. After what Miku just said there was no way she can remain calm, especially after such a reply like that.
The game continued and now that Rin thought of it...It was probably a grave mistake to play this game after all...
ZZZZTTT!
It startled the group as they turned to the small unused and old television that sat on a desk that was placed near the border. It was on and there was only static on the screen. Rin could hear her heart beat race. How could the TV be on? No one was near it. It wasnt even plugged- heck the cord of the plug was completely cut and gone. It was just impossible.
They all backed away from it and stared at the static-filled screen until a disturbingly high pitched voice began talking. "-Due to a single traitor, a "fox", the game has begun."
It continued on and then the TV shut once again. No one dared say a word for a few minutes until Rin finally found her voice. "W-What was that...j-just now?" There was pause in the air. "I dont know." Mikuo murmured. "'Fox"? "Traitor"?"
Rin's heart didnt calm down as she bit her lip. "I-Its just some kind of bad joke right?" She asked but there was no reply. It was completely silent to the point that it was suffocating. "Anyways, lets just go home for today." Mikuo suggested and no one objected to that. They left the old school and left without even saying anything to each other.
But they soon realized that they have yet to understand the true meaning of fear.
Rin couldnt sleep that night. She kept tossing and turning but she still couldnt sleep. The only thing she could hear in the silence was her own racing heart beat.
Rin pulled the covers over her head and gripped her pillow tightly as she mumbled to herself that today was nothing more than a dream...a prank, a lie, a fake, or maybe even a superstition. Either way, it just cant be real!
She sighed to herself and buried her face into her pillow. When she wakes up tomorrow, everything will go back as they were. Her life will go on as usual with no problem at all. Rin clenched her pillow even tighter. Everything is going to be okay...
If only that was true...
The next day...Rin's classmate was found dead, split into two.
Rin, for once sat alone on her desk, trembling as her classmate chatter about the news. No one seemed to approached her for the first time and were all scattered in the room talking to their other friends and classmates. Some looked even amused about the sudden news about someone they once knew was found dead in the school. Humans were so cruel.
But Rin thought nothing about that. She was more concerned about the fact that there was no mistake of it...It was the work of the "Bookmark of Demise."
There was absolutely no mistake of it! If someone other than them has died after what happened yesterday, that would mean he saw the letter that one of them has received...but does that mean they were going to killed too?
Rin paled at the thought. Are they going be killed the same way as that student died...or in an even more brutal way?
Rin was terrified. She didnt want to die...SHE'S NOT READY TO DIE!
SLAM!
"Hey, Who told him?!" Rin demanded as she slammed her hand onto the old desk. "Who's the traitor?!"
Miku, Len, and Mikuo tried to calm her down as she continued screaming her demands of who the traitor was. Rin already knew that shouting wouldnt do anything. It wasnt helping their situation at all so they all simply decided that none of them could do anything about the situation.
But there was no way Rin could stay calm.
They parted way and Rin decided to go into the library with Miku before going home. The two sat next to each other at a vacant table but they didnt move from their spot to get a book or anything. They just sat there in silence.
Rin was extremely stressed out and depress about all this which worried Miku a lot. "Rin-chan..." Miku said as she reached out and place her hand on top of Rin's. "Are you okay?"
Rin slowly pulled her hand out of Miku's and nodded slightly. "Yeah..." She mumbled quietly and Miku frowned but said nothing. "I'm sorry that I lost it..." Rin said and stared down onto her lap. "...Its okay." Miku replied.
There was silence between them before Rin started. "This isnt a dream, is it? Even now I still cant believe it..." Miku wasnt sure how to answer that and nodded. "Yeah.."
"I-I've been a little curious about..." Rin trailed off and inhaled deeply. "Well, its not like we obtained the book or the bookmark so..."
Miku just went along with it. "Yeah.." Rin dug her hands into her lap. "Thats why I believe...it wont be like ten years ago so..." This time, Miku didnt reply and looked at Rin worriedly. "Rin-chan..." Miku started until Rin started laughing. "Sorry! I know that I'm a liar...and its useless no matter what a big liar like me says but...I didnt betray anyone and I wouldnt ever-"
"Rin-chan!" Rin flinched when Miku suddenly exclaimed loudly. It was a good thing no one was around the library or else they would be in trouble. Rin turned to Miku as she reached out and held her hand. "I will protect you, Rin-chan." Miku declared. "So please dont worry."
Rin's eyes widned at the sincerity Miku was showing to her and she sighed, feeling a little bit more calm than before. "Thank you." She said. Miku smiled and eagerly nodded. "I love you, Rin-chan so of course I would protect you."
Rin laughed lightly. "I guess so. Thank you, I really like you too." Suddenly Miku frowned and stood up, much to Rin's confusion. "Miku?"
The next thing Rin knew was that Miku was now incredibly close to her. The tip of their noses were touching and Miku stared into Rin's shocked eyes with a serious expression. "It wasnt a lie you know?" Miku muttered. "That I mean."
Rin suddenly remembered the question she asked to Miku during the Kokkurin-san game...
"Does Miku have a crush on someone?"
Before Rin could say something or even comprehend what she meant. She felt a pair of soft lips against hers.
I cant believe I just typed that. I feel a bit awkward, now dont start getting any ideas. You'll understand as the story goes along which will take a while since Im starting school tomorrow...ew.
Anyways please support and thank you for taking the time to read this.
Responses to Reviews:
Mew SunsetStar: Thanks! Im happy you love this version of the Bookmark of Demise. Ihope you'll support this story.
Zhane17: Aww yeah, thats a shame that you already know what is going to happen next but thanks for still reading this story despite already know what is going to happen to them. Darn, so in other words you didnt read the light novel. Well thats a really shame but oh well, no harm done- Wait a min. your friend read it in fb? Seriously? Omg I'll definitely search there! *Go to website*
Awesome D.T: O-Okay, I see you arent taking the news of Len's death very well huh? Can you guess who killed our beloved Len (honestly I also died when I was writing that scene it was just too painful!) I'll give you a cookie if you guess right? So you think Rin has a crush on Len hmmm...well you'll find out very soon *wink* Thanks for supporting the story!
Next Chapter: CHAPTER 3: Impostor Advisory pt 2; Abandoning Troubles
-Yugao702