Talentless Transmigration

(Julian)

The sun peeked through the windows, shining upon my desk of scattered homework. It was completely silent.

This was... my house. It looks just as I remembered.

I'm in my head, but I thought my headspace would look a little different. I got up from my desk. I was in a room right next to the front door, so I was viewing the front porch.

The air was somewhat thick as if dust filled. The smell of early morning. A bird outside sang its morning song. I could hear kids playing outside, but I couldn't see any children.

I walked toward the kitchen.

Breakfast was there on the kitchen table. One plate had soft buttermilk pancakes drizzled lightly with syrup. 

The other plate, Belgian waffles, no syrup. That was my brother's favorite.

I sat down, digging the fork nearby into the pancake. I grabbed a knife with my left hand, cutting a square shape into the pancake.

How long has it been since I've eaten pancakes?

I've been in this world for so long.

I don't even... remember what pancakes taste like...

I dropped the pancake.

"I'm supposed to be looking for the spirit, not indulging," I said aloud.

I walked into the living room. It was the same as before.

The TV was still on, as a news reporter babbled on and on about the weather. The couches were a light grey, and pillows were tossed all around.

I forgot what I was doing...

But.. the spirit is not here. 

I walked up the stairs, with each step feeling heavier and heavier for some odd reason.

It had to be in my room.

But... which room is mine again?

I looked to the room on the right.

The knob didn't budge.

The one in the middle?

I placed my hand on the doorknob, twisting it slowly. It opened, with an awkwardly loud creak.

There the spirit was, sitting on his bed frame.

The spirit looked exactly like him, however, the spirit had horns with greyish-black skin.

"Ah. You found me."

"You're the spirit... but you look just like me?" I said in a questioning tone.

"That's because I am you. Or rather... an extension of you. The mana in the spirit created an... extra you, I guess. But at the same time, not. Since I am still you."

"..."

"I have most of your memories, and the exact same personality as you because of this."

"Who's that on the bed?" I averted my eyes, gazing at the blanket.

"That's... you... Or... us."

"Huh?"

"I'm not sure either. It's not something that's in my memories. But I can feel it. That individual in the blanket in most likely us."

"Why don't you just take off the covers?"

"That'll wake him up. You can feel it too, right? That something bad will happen if we wake that individual up."

...

I guess he's right. Or... I guess I'm right? I don't know how to say it.

But I definitely understand what he's talking about. Waking up that person under the blanket will not be good.

"Haah. Okay. So how do we get this bond thing started?"

"We shake hands."

"It's that simple?"

"Yep."

The spirit stuck his hand out. I reached out to grab it.