#ikevil jp

One day, I was helping out Roger like I usually did.

We studied the composition of valuable skin samples collected from a criminal who may have been cursed and compared them to past data written in our notebooks.

Kate: Huh…? Roger, where did the notebook that was here go?

Roger: Oh damn. I left it in my room. I’ll go get it, so sit tight.

Kate: Ok. Then I’ll do some cleaning up in the meantime.

Roger: Just what I’d expect from a thoughtful assistant. I’ll leave it to you.

Kate: Yep!

After sharing a laugh, Roger headed up the stairs with a spring in his step.

However—those footsteps came back right away.

Kate: Back so soon, Roger?

I called out to him over my shoulder while cleaning a beaker and then felt a sturdy arm around my waist.

Roger: Wanted to spend some time with you, so I turned around.

Kate: You came back, but…we can’t examine the samples without the notebook.

Roger: We don’t have to rush it. Not like the experiments are goin’ anywhere.

(What happened to you, Roger?)

He always obsesses over examining every piece of data after getting a result.

Kate: Don’t you think that’s something weird for someone like you to say?

Roger: Haha, well I sure do feel kinda weird. Since it’s just the two of us here.

He smoothly cupped my cheek and when I turned to look at him, I found his eyes staring at me longingly.

(Did an experiment earlier have some bad side effects…?)

I examined this weird Roger closely—

Roger: The way you’re staring at me…haha, you’re so cute.

When his face drew closer, I quickly moved to push him away.

However, that hefty chest of his didn’t even budge.

Kate: R-Roger.

Roger: Get away from Kate, you fake.

(Huh?)

When I looked to the side, I saw Roger standing there with his gun.

(Roger’s…point a gun at Roger?)

Kate: There’s two Rogers?!

Roger: Kate, come here.

Kate: O-okay!

Maybe it was because there was a gun pointed at him, but the other Roger let me go willingly.

Roger: Does your curse let you shapeshift?

Roger?: Does it look that way? Think about it, me. You should get it if you “listen”.

Roger: …Your pulse and breathing rate are exactly the same as mine. It’s not something that’d happen with a shapeshifter that can only alter their appearance. Meaning—You and I are exactly the same.

(Does that mean they’re the same person?)

Roger: Could it be…that another me was born from the mirror?

The old-fashioned antique mirror in Victor’s office popped into mind.

The other Roger smirked, as if confirming the right answer.

Mirror Roger: Probably took you a while since you were agitated by my touching Kate. You pass, Roger. I was born from that mirror, created by your desire. A “Roger born to love Kate”.

For a moment, I stood there confused and dumbfounded. 

(Huh? Just now…)

Kate: D-did you say “to love me”?

Mirror Roger: Yeah. So, shall we head to bed, Kate?

The Roger born from the mirror lifted me up.

Kate: I’m not going. Put me down!

Roger: Don’t be shy. You like it when I’m pushy—

At that moment, a gunshot rang out in the room.

Roger: If you don’t let Kate go, I’m blowin’ your head off next.

Mirror Roger: Hey now, shooting first without talking’s pretty reckless you know?

The other Roger grumbled as he put me down.

Roger: I can’t be picky when you’re makin’ a move on my lover.

Mirror Roger: Just a heads up, physical attacks won’t work on me. I’m your desire. I don’t exist like a human. The moment your desire’s met, I’ll disappear.

(The moment his desire’s met…) (Does that mean he’ll disappear when he loves me intimately…?!)

Kate: Roger…

When I looked up at Roger in worry, he pulled me tightly into his arms.

Roger: …No way I’m lettin’ that happen. I’ll just break the mirror. When it’s broken, you’ll disappear too.

Mirror Roger: Wanna give it a shot? But…What if I never disappear after you break the mirror?

Roger: …When you say it like that, looks like I can’t force you to disappear. Still, I can’t let anyone else but me love Kate. I’ll find some other way to make you disappear.

Mirror Roger: Ha. You’re welcome to try.