“Are you wearing it correctly? Try saying a few words.”
I opened and closed my mouth, cleared my throat, and tried to speak.
“…My name is An Juncheng. An from safe, Jun from gentleman, Cheng from honest.”
“Oh, wow! Amazing, it sounds exactly the same!”
Indeed, because it only changed the frequency, the voice changer was much smaller and could even be worn like a dental brace. The dental brace I had just put on was a voice changer made of a special material. However, this voice changer was different from traditional ones; while I spoke, it altered the frequency of my voice. After a few adjustments, I succeeded in making my voice sound exactly like his. I knew Eddie was a scholar, but I didn’t expect him to be this capable. After going to that strange abandoned building, without me even explaining the situation, he immediately…
However, his gaze, which treated me like an experimental animal, made me very uncomfortable.
“Is Eddie always like that?”
“Hmm? What do you mean?”
“Like locking himself in an abandoned building to do research, just like a mad scientist…”
His eyes shone with an oil-like sheen. It was as if he were under a spell, consumed by an obsession.
That wasn’t the look of an ordinary person; it was completely… What was he pursuing?
“Ha—you’re actually right. He’s a mad scientist. By the way, that maid over there, you should recognize her, right?”
“Yes, Elsa, of course, I recognize her.”
Weren’t Eddie and Elsa siblings? Speaking of which, why was she wearing a maid outfit? Was it to cater to her brother’s perverted interests? — Probably not.
I was merely worried about… Juncheng seemed to be troubled by his sister’s matters too, and more so than me. It wasn’t just about his younger sisters not being able to get married; he had to worry about one more thing on top of that. If that kind of thing were to happen, with Father’s personality, Juncheng would definitely be in a lot of trouble.
This was the first time I learned about it, but the name I saw was indeed Ai.
“…What? You’re saying you never knew Elsa’s name and always called her Ai…?”
“Why Ai? I remember people familiar with Elsa call her Sha, not Ai.”
“Yes, but calling her Ai now will get you confused.”
“Is that so? Since someone is already called ‘Ai,’ then you should call me Zi’ai. But please pronounce it correctly!”
Actually, it was because when he called me ‘Ai,’ I always felt flustered. It was even worse than being called “Zi’ai.” Why would I feel flustered? It shouldn’t be a feeling of love, right? Ugh, why would I feel…
He gives people a very reliable feeling. He was indeed much gentler than I imagined, and he looked quite capable. Unlike a certain escapist who didn’t want to deal with anything… If it were ‘me,’ I should have shown more impatience, after all, I am more than… Or perhaps, because it was ‘his own business,’ he cared more? Regardless, he looked very handsome. No, no, why am I spacing out here! This must be just the suspension bridge effect! Suddenly transmigrating to another world, the first person I… The person I trust the most, so I must have had a mistaken illusion of love! It must be! He just sold me out! I was stared at by that perverted Teacher Yang! Why did she call you Master! What did you do to Teacher Yang! And you even called Teacher Yang by name — clearly, there’s something going on! No matter the reason, this is all his fault!
“I’ll call you by your name then, okay? …Ai, is that alright?”
“Ah! Yes!”
“Uh, why are you suddenly so excited… Well, for now, please bear with it. Oh, and by the way, Ai is a robot, you know?”
“Hmm? Robot?”
“Yes, a robot. Although you might not be able to tell, or feel it, it’s true. I’ve seen Ai perform dissections. She even has Wi-Fi signals and power outlets… though she’s never used them on me.”
After carefully chewing on the word “robot,” I finally understood what he was saying. That child was actually a robot.
So, the me in this world has gotten involved with “very strange” people and things? Whether it’s Teacher Yang who can use magic, or Eddie, who possesses extreme scientific technology, or Elsa, who should have been human. They have all become abnormal… Completely different from the ones I knew. Although Lily Yang is beautiful, she doesn’t use magic, nor is she a bystander from an anime; that was just… Eddie is just a geeky guy with a smart brain. Although I often saw him working on robots, he was just a normal person, not a real robot. And Elsa is a younger sister who worries about her older brother. But in this world, their abilities, and even their existence, have been “specialized.” But… I haven’t noticed it yet… Or perhaps… it’s just that the old me didn’t see that he had some special ability, and… And the one in front of me… seems to have some special ability too. Zombies, who are everywhere, spreading infection to anyone bitten. That must be what zombies refer to, those who bite people with white eyes as if they’ve lost their minds. Holy artifact. I heard he took medicine just now to prevent others from being infected by him. This is all so… nonsensical, isn’t it? Reality is more bizarre than small wavelet novels, more absurd than dreams. Now I finally understand it personally. They say reality is stranger than fiction. This ‘unreality’ is… just that. However, to me, this real world is equivalent to ‘unreality.’ “The school is still two hours away, so prepare yourself mentally in advance.”
“So, all the preparations are done. We still have two hours before we go to school. Depending on how familiar you are…”
“It’s fine. It’s just an exam. But I’m worried about how familiar people will be with you.”
E.g., like Eddie just now. So, you might slip up when talking.
“Ah, I do need to tell you about ‘them’ in advance. But… there isn’t much time left, so I’ll tell you a part of it first, and then we can communicate through telepathy later.”
Can you do that? I didn’t expect Juncheng to actually have superpowers. So, can I also become a super-powered girl? Maybe I transmigrated because of my superpowers? Hmm, probably not. It feels too awkward.
“Well, actually, back at Lily’s place… when I discovered that your words could affect Lily too, I realized that our ‘spirits’ are somehow connected. So your words will also have contractual effects. I’ll try to send out my spiritual power now and reach your…”
After speaking, Juncheng closed his eyes and leaned back on the sofa, falling silent.
(How is it? Can you hear my voice?)
“I can hear you!”
His voice echoed in my mind, but it didn’t feel abrupt at all, as if I were talking to myself.
“Yes, I can hear you.”
After hearing my reply, Juncheng opened his eyes and said.
“As expected, you and I can communicate telepathically. You’re an unbelievable existence. It’s like a ‘clone that never disappears.'”
“Heh, it feels like I’ve become your ‘Kuuga.'”
“Kuuga? Is that your best friend?”
“Best friend? Yes, a true best friend, the kind you can entrust your life to…”
“…A very, very important friend.”
I’ve never heard that name before, but for some reason, it feels very familiar. I feel like I should know, even be very familiar with this person named ‘Kuuga.’ Suddenly, a holographic feeling appeared before my eyes. Everything in the world felt so unreal. Why… why am I here?
“When the time comes, I’ll be waiting at the cafe near the school. If you have any questions, ask them in your mind, and I’ll answer them as concisely as possible.”
Juncheng’s words brought me back to my senses. After concentrating, the illusory feeling disappeared. I replied a beat late.
“Huh? You mean, you can know what I’m thinking?”
Could it be that all this time he could hear my inner thoughts, even now? The silent moments before were just him probing with his telepathy. This was the first time I connected with your spirit. After this, I will only…
“Don’t worry, I know you definitely don’t like the feeling of your inner thoughts being spied on. After all, I’m you, and our powers are equal. Of course, if Zi’ai is still not at ease, I can sever the connection at any time from your side if you feel uncomfortable. I’ll only connect our spirits while you’re taking the exam for *me*. Is that okay?”
“I can sever it from my side too?”
“Of course, you can. You are me, and our powers are equal. Of course, if Zi’ai is still not at ease, I can…”
“As expected of me, you’ve thought of everything. But you don’t need to worry so much.”
He probably proposed equal terms because he thought I might doubt him. And me too. I was so easily swayed. I know, there’s no need to doubt this person. He’s a person I can absolutely trust.
“Besides, even without deliberately reading each other’s minds, we can understand each other’s thoughts, right?”
“Yeah, you’re right. It’s been a long story. Let’s start with the Mirror from your novel.”
Then, Juncheng began to explain the people around him, about “them.” Honestly, the amount of information was too great; I couldn’t digest it all at once. And this was just the tip of the iceberg. I couldn’t help but think about how much he had gone through during this time. At the same time, I felt sympathetic towards him. The experiences he went through were far more than mine, and much harder. Those scars on him were the best proof.
…Became an undead.
“It must have been tough for you…”
“It’s nothing. Actually, these are all things ‘you can do too.’ Or rather, if it were you, you might have done better.”
No, this must be something only you can do. Even though you and I are the same existence, the resolve is completely different. What you’ve gone through are things I can’t imagine. Therefore, I will help you with all my might.
“Everything you said… perhaps this is my mission in this world.”
Just as he said before, perhaps this is… “Don’t worry, I’ll send you home.” Juncheng gave a wry smile and said lightly.
“Yes… ‘I’ am the type to keep my promises.”
“It feels even better than doing it alone.”
Around seven or eight in the morning, Juncheng and I made breakfast together. Our coordination was perfect, much more refined and much faster. Men and women working together – it’s not tiring, right? Ha. Around six o’clock, Juncheng stood at the door to see me off.
“All I can do now is wish you good luck.”
“Leave it to me.”
“I couldn’t be more relieved to leave it to you.”
…For some reason, I’m strangely nervous.
“Nervous? …It’s natural to feel that way when you’re about to face a familiar yet strange class. But if it were me…”
He paused and then smiled mischievously, continuing.
“Hey, isn’t it exciting?”
That’s right, it’s an exciting feeling! The excitement born from curiosity about the unknown!
“Then, I’m off!”
“Just wait for my triumphant return!”
