Doppelganger.

I was frozen in place. I couldn't believe what that woman had just said. But looking at her expression, the way she showed concern for Mai, I knew she wasn't joking.

Mai looked at me for a moment and then looked at the woman. After considering for a moment, Mai replied, "No, it's nothing."

Mai grabbed my hand and then said for the last time. "I have to go back to class," she said. "See you later, Mom."

The woman nodded softly, still with a worried expression.

Mai pulled me towards the exit, still in shock I stared at the woman. No matter how long I looked at her, her worried expression didn't disappear.

Once we were out of the building, Mai stopped.

"Mai," I said, my voice sounding strange even to my own ears. "What just happened back there...?"

"It seems my mother can't see you," Mai said. "For some reason."

"Can't see me?" I said in disbelief. "But why? What's going on?" I was getting more and more confused.

After a moment of silence, Mai held out her hand to me.

"Touch me," she said.

"What?" I asked, unsure of what she was trying to accomplish.

"Just do it. Touch me," she repeated.

I hesitated for a moment, but then reached out and touched her hand with my finger. Considering how Mai was acting, I expected something to happen, like a spark or a flash of light. But nothing did.

"Hmm... I can see you, I can touch you, and the same goes for you," Mai said, going back to thinking.

She then looked at me and pointed to a woman who was walking just outside of the library. "Go, try to touch her."

"Eh? But... " This isn't a good idea, Mai.

"Do it." She pushed my back.

She really wants me to touch her? Seriously?

"But, Mai..." This doesn't sound like a good idea.

"Alex." Mai lowered her voice.

"Uh, alright," I gulped. For some reason, I didn't want to make her angry, so I forced myself to do it even though I didn't want to.

I approached the woman hesitantly.

Just touch her, it's not a big deal. It's true, just touching, not a big deal. But, at least maybe I should prepare myself to be slapped?

I almost shouted when my hand, which was supposed to touch the woman's hand, went through her! Like a hologram or ghost scene in the movies.

"As I suspected, now you're a ghost." Mai said that calmly from behind me.

"Ghost? Don't joking around!" I said.

It's true that I went through her, but a ghost? How could I be a ghost. This is ridiculous.

"Are you sure you're not a ghost?" Mai said. "I mean, you didn't die or something, did you?"

"Of course not!" I said.

"Really?"

"Of course..." My confidence decreased, remembering the incident in the coffee shop that time.

Mai saw it. She looked at me sharply.

I sighed softly. "Okay, I almost did," I said. "But no, someone stopped me."

"Almost, huh?" Mai smiled and looked amused.

I froze, because I thought I was hallucinating seeing her smile like that.

"Come on, let's go," Mai said, starting to walk again. "I thought this was over. Ignoring him wouldn't make a difference. But it looks like I was wrong. This needs to be finished until the end."

"What are you talking about?" I said, followed her.

"I want to introduce you to someone," Mai said.

"Who?" I asked.

"Another Alex," Mai replied.

"Oh, the transfer student?" I said, suddenly feeling cold.

Mai nodded.

"Now I can see him," Mai said. "I think you'll be able to see him too."

I walked beside her, deep in thought. Aside from the uncomfortable feeling, there were a lot of questions appearing in my mind. I decided to ask. Although I was a little hesitant, before seeing him for myself, I needed to know.

"Is he... me?" I said, feeling weird to be saying it myself.

Mai turned to look at me.

"Yes, he's you," Mai said. "At least, his appearance is like that. But, of course, it's not you."

My tongue felt dry.

"You... don't think I caused all of this, do you?" I asked.

"No," Mai replied.

I breathed a sigh of relief.

"Not intentionally." She continued.

I looked at her.

"I believe you didn't want this to happen," Mai said. "but that doesn't mean you're not connected in any way."

"That's impossible!" I said. "I don't know anything. I swear!"

"I'm just talking about possibilities," Mai said, still walking. Some people we passed by looked at her. "Think about it, I didn't pay attention to your name similarity before, but now it's different. He truly looks like you, physically identical. That's why the question arises, why is there another Alex? Maybe he's something like a doppelganger, but why would he copy your appearance specifically?" Mai asked.

"Alright," I sighed. "That makes sense, but I really don't know anything about this."

Mai didn't reply.

We walked in silence. Maybe Mai had some other evidence that shows I am the cause of all this, but it seems she didn't want to prolong it. I also wanted to avoid talking about it, so this worked for me.

I breathed out in frustration and looked at the street as I walked. This is annoying. Not only Michael, but even Mai suspected me.

I stopped.

"Wait a minute." I said, realized something.

Mai also stopped and looked at me.

"What is it this time?" Mai asked.

"If he's truly a doppelganger, then doesn't that mean I'm in danger?" I said. "I mean, from what I've read, if someone sees their doppelganger, they will," I swallowed, "die."

"Yes," Mai said. "According to the myth, that's how it is."

"But, then..." My body shivered.

"I've actually been thinking about that," Mai said. "The possibility is there, but it's small. Because your case is different. You remember, this phenomenon is called Hollow. Not doppelganger. Not to mention, maybe you'll find something if you see him yourself. But, well, it's up to you. If you're not bothered by your current condition, you can go."

I looked at my own hand. It was normal, as far as I could see. But the fact that I couldn't touch other people was a fact.

She's right. I can't be like this forever. But what if I really die if I see that doppelganger-like thing?

I sighed. "It seems like I really have to die." I said.

Mai looked at me and said, "What do you mean?"

I smiled bitterly. Mai is already suspicious of me, so why bother hiding it anymore?

I told her about Michael's idea that the only way to get out of this is to kill me, the one with the same name as the new student.

"I see," Mai smiled slightly. "That's an interesting idea."

"Yeah, very interesting," I grunted, displeased.

"Then why did he believe that would work?" Mai asked.

"He said that he had experienced the same thing before. That's how he was freed from the previous incident," I replied.

Mai looked at the book in her hand, then smiled again. "I got good information." she said. "So, if something worse happens, I just have to kill you, huh?"

I swallowed hard. Telling Mai about this seemed like a bad idea.

No, no, no, that was wrong. Mai was just joking, right? I mean, I'm sure even she jokes sometimes. And there's no way she would really kill me, right? I'm her friend, right?

Right?

***