Risebelle entered her home cautiously. She looked for any signs of her mother. The house had all the lights off and it was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

  Her gaze nded on her father who was there with the couch with a neer c his face. He was sound asleep. Risebelle moved quietly, trying not to disturb him.

  Still on guard, she gnced around for any sign of her mother. She didn’t look like she was downstairs.

  ‘Good. Operation ‘so my room’ is a go,’ she whispered.

  Risebelle tiptoed into her room believing she had avoided the wrath of her mother, but hell froze over on the spot for her as she saw her mother sitting there on her bed with her arms folded. ‘Damn it, of course.’ she thought.

  Her maze bore into her with an iy that made Risebelle squirm without even trying. Her mestured for her to sit down, and Risebelle obediently took a seat with her heart beating 1 million miles per hour.

  Risebelle's man the versation with a measured tone, her gaze unwavering. "Risebelle, do you have any idea what time it is?"

  Risebelle bit her lower lip, "I...I lost track of time, Mom. I was with some friends, and we were--"

  "--You know damhat your studies should always e first, especially in your final year of school! I expect you to maintain straight A's, Risebelle no matter what happens."

  Risebelle nodded. "I uand, Mom. I'll make sure to focus more on my studies."

  Her mother's sternness seemed to intensify as she tinued. "And what about your father? He's been worried sick about you. He doesn't he added stress, especially with his health."

  Her mother's eyes narrowed, her expression hardening instantly. "How dare you say that, Risebelle!" she snapped, her hand eg with Risebelle's cheek in a sharp sp. "Your father cares plenty. He loves you more than you know!"

  Risebelle recoiled from the sting. "I-I…I'm sorry, Mom," she whispered. "I didn't mean—"

  Her mother cut her off with one finger raised. "It's time for you to start taking your responsibilities seriously, Risebelle. Your education and your family aren’t things to take lightly. You o stay focused and disciplined I want Straight A’s and nothihis year."

  Risebelle nodded sadly. "I promise, Mom. I'll work harder and make you proud."

  Her mave a brief nod of approval before standing up. "Good. Tomorrow is a new day, and you have a lot of studying to do."

  Risebelle watched her mother leave the room. ‘Study, study, study… like a broken record by now’, she thought to herself.

  The day:

  Risebelle sat in css, her weariness evident in the drooping of her eyelids. Her mother's scolding about losing her bag had only added to her fatigue.

  As she sat there, lost ihoughts, Angie's whisper caught her attention. She turo find her friend leaning in from the side.

  "Risebelle," Angie whispered, "did you find what you were looking for yesterday?"

  Risebelle blinked. She took a sed to recall what happe night and then responded, "No, Angie, we didn't find what we were looking for. It... It was a dead end."

  Angie smiled, "I'm gd you’re okay, Risebelle. You know, you really o be careful when yetting into these kinds of situations.”

  Risebelle nodded, her gaze fixed on her desk. "I know, A's just that... I have my reasons, but I'll try to be more cautious."

  Aiced Risebelle's ck of a bag and inquired, "By the way, where's y? Did something happen?"

  Risebelle hesitated for a moment before deg to share the truth with her friend. In a low tone, she expined, "Something did happen, Angie. I lost my bag at the Silver Star Arcade. We were iigating something, and... It’s a long story."

  Angie's eyes widened with curiosity and . "Lost y? What were you iigating at the arcade, Risebelle? "

  Risebelle expihe events of their visit to the Silver Star Arcade, Angie listened ily, her eyes widening in both curiosity and disbelief. When Risebelle finished reting their enter with the doppelganger and the hidden arcade se, Angie couldn't help but ent.

  “You don’t say… that kind of sounds like something out of a video game or anime. Oh! You know what? Been pying this new MMO tely that has doppelgangers in it! Quite the ce, am I right?"

  Risebelle raised an eyebrow, intrigued by Angie's parison. "Really? That sounds iing. What's the game called?"

  Angie grinned, “Get this. It's called 'Epic Quest: Realm of Shadows.' It's a new MMO where you go os, battle monsters and explore mysterious pces."

  Risebelle gave a small smile. "It sounds kind of fun. Maybe I'll have to give it a try sometime, whenever when I’m not busy studying…"

  Angie nodded eagerly. "You should! It's so cool Risebelle, and the best part is y together! Plus, it might give you some insights into dealing with doppelgangers!"

  Risebelle chuckled softly. "Thanks, Angie. I'll keep that in mind. And I'll be careful, especially after what happened yesterday."

  Lunch period began. Risebelle found herself sitting at a cafeteria table. Her eyelids were heavy with exhaustiohoughts drifted to Roselle and the mysterious doppelgao the point where she was dozing off. She barely touched her food. Lost in her own world, she wondered if there was a way to find the Roselle from her memories and if that would somehow lead her to the answers she has been looking for.

  Iate of deep thought, Risebelle was startled when Jess leaned in and pnted a gentle kiss on her cheek. However, before Jess could react to what happened , Risebelle's reflexes took over, and her fist shot out, unknowingly striking Jess and knog her away.

  The cafeteria fell silent for a moment as students nearby stared in surprise. Risebelle, wide-eyed and disoriented, finally realized what had just transpired.

  As the cafeteria began to buzz with whispers and curious gnces, Risebelle let out a sigh, her eyelids drooping even more with exhaustion and embarrassment. She lowered her gaze, uo meet Jess's eyes as she spoke.

  "Jess, I... I'm sorry for reag that way. I didn't mean to... but uh…you really shouldn't do that in public."

  Jess, still rec from the ued punch, rubbed her cheek with a slightly fused look. "Geez, Risebelle, you've got quite the punch. I thought a simple kiss on the cheek would cheer you up. By the way, does that mean we kiss ‘outside of the public’?"

  Risebelle managed a weak smile, her fatigue showing in her eyes. "Somehow, you mao get that 20, Jess. Don’t even try it."

  Jess chuckled and then leaned in closer to whisper, "I get it now. Your mom... she 'destroyed' you when you got home, didn't she?"

  Risebelle nodded. "Yeah, she was not happy about the lost bag i. I had to listen to a loure about responsibility and how it's affeg my grades. It's been a rough day."

  Jess pced a f hand on Risebelle's shoulder. " A poor Risey… You've been through a lot tely, and then you went and lost y… but don’t worry. We’ll get it back."

  Risebelle appreciated Jess's support and nodded. "Thanks, Jess. I hope so. But for now, I just want to focus oing through the day..."

  The lunch period tinued, and Risebelle tried to shake off her exhaustion and the embarrassing cafeteria i. She mao nibble on her food, her appetite slowly returning as she engaged in light versation with Jess.

  As they chatted, the topic shifted back to their ongoing iigation at the Silver Star Arcade. Jess leaned in and spoke in a hushed tone, "Risebelle, do you think we should involve Roselle in this? I mean, she might have some insights about the doppelganger since she's been dealing with it for a while."

  Risebelle sidered the idea, her mind processing the potential advantages and risks. "It's a possibility, Jess. But we should be cautious. Roselle has been through a lot herself, and she might not be too receptive to us if roach her about it. We o find a way to gairust first."

  Jess nodded in agreement. "You're right, Risebelle. Building trust is key, especially since her situation involves something so bizarre."

  Just as they were discussing their pns, Angie joihem at the cafeteria table, "Risebelle, you're still iigating that arcade mystery, right?"

  Risebelle and Jess exged a gnce before nodding. "Yeah, Angie, we are," Risebelle replied.

  Jess rolled her eyes subtly, muttering under her breath, "Bitch…Here es trouble."

  Angie's smile faltered slightly, deteg the uone in Jess's voice. "Excuse me?"

  Jess leaned back, crossing her arms."Nothing. Just surprised you're ied in something other than games."

  Angie's jaw ched briefly before she replied with forced cheerfulness, "Oh, well, I have many is. Unlike some people who only care about sex."

  Risebelle interjected quickly one hand raised between them both. " Woah, alright, guys, let's not start…”

  Jess and Angie exged gres, but relutly nodded in agreement. "Fine," Jess muttered, her tone clipped.

  Angie pursed her lips but nodded curtly. "Sure, whatever…”

  Angie leao Risebelle suddenly," Anyways, I might have a lead for you. Remember that video game I mentioned, 'Epic Quest: Realm of Shadows'? Well, there's a pyer in the game who's all about solving mysteries and closing cases involving the game. Everyone calls em the 'Sleuth of Shadows.'"

  Risebelle raised an eyebrow, intrigued by the e Angie was making. "Go on, Angie."

  Angie grinned. "Well, the game has a secret online forum where pyers share tips and strategies. There's been some chatter about a real-life mystery simir to the game's storyline. People are saying that if you want to know more, you should look for the 'Sleuth of Shadows' in the forum. Maybe this pyer has some information that could help you."

  Risebelle and Jess exged a gnce more, this time with a sense of hope. Angie's lead could be their ticket to unc more about the doppelganger and its e to Roselle.

  Risebelle thanked Ah a smile. "Thanks, Ahat's a valuable lead. We'll definitely look into it."

  The final css of the day had been a struggle for Risebelle. Despite her best efforts to stay ehe wrath from st night was still upon her. It made every minute feel like ay. Ohe bell finally rang, a chorus of relieved sighs filled the . Everyone was fast to gather their belongings and head for the door. The Teacher watched them get ready to leave with a smile.

  "Hey, hey, hey everyone! Before you rush off, gather 'round for some exg news!" Mr. Sanders called out enthusiastically. "We're going to have a little pop quiz tomorrow on Friday. Time to unleash all that awesome knowledge you learned from me! Woooo! Get pumped everybody!"

  When Risebelle made her way out of the , she joined a group of students whrumbling about the ued pop quiz.

  "Seriously, a pop quiz? It's like he wants to ruin our weekend, and look at that damn goofy smile. Ugh!" oudent muttered.

  "Right? And he gives us only one day to prepare? That's just unfair," another chimed in.

  Risebelle nodded in agreement with their ses.

  As she moved through the hallway, Risebelle kept a for any sign of Roselle. She had a feeling that eg with Roselle might provide some insights into the mystery of the doppelganger, and she was eager to find a way to approach her.

  Amidst the sea of students, Risebelle finally spotted Roselle emerging from another . Roselle didn't appear to be in high spirits; however, before Risebelle could make her move to approach her, the crowd of students swept her away, and Roselle disappeared from view.

  Risebelle sighed in disappoi. She just missed her ce to talk to Roselle.

  “Well, atleast I know she’s at this school so that’s one Win for me. I’m going to get to the bottom of this…”