The wind was quite refreshing on this late summer day. It was only the third week of the new school year. In a small town, just 100 miles from the big city, was a house that resembled any other in the neighborhood. Unlike the surrounding area, most of the houses here were slightly larger than the average hotel room, like a mobile home that wasn't mobile. Right in the middle of the block was the place a blonde-haired teenage boy, now sleeping in his bedroom, called home. There wasn't much in the room, only a dresser, bed, and nightstand with a lamp and alarm clock on it packed into the 6 by 8-foot room. Home sweet prison?
A singing voice begins to fill the bedroom, coming from an alarm clock sitting next to the sleeping boy, known as Len Kagamine. From his immediate reaction, which involved him rocking his head in his groggy state, getting up and dancing through the whole five-minute song, then laying back down on his bed as if nothing had happened, one could guess that she was his favorite singer. If someone were looking through the window and saw him...
Why does it have to-I just want more sleep-ugh, I have to get up, he thought.
After fifteen minutes of failed attempts to get out of bed, the alarm clock went silent, reading 7:25 a.m.
Great, another boring day. Len lived alone, his parents having sent him to college and paid for his living expenses. He lamented his cheap house, if it could even be called a house, in this run-down neighborhood.
As if the size of his room wasn't enough of a metaphor for his life, the day at college was a clone of every other: sit in class, spend the whole time listening to lectures, occasionally working on some randomness or answering the instructor's questions, go home, come back tomorrow. He hadn't even decided what to study; it was just that his parents figured he should get a college degree, so he was finishing general courses.
After spending a few long hours finishing his coursework, he relaxed on his bed. Being eighteen, he was going to have to think about his life after high school at some point. It probably meant finishing college, but while he wasn't much better than the average student, he did have one dream for the future. Well, in addition to finding a better house.
Len pushed a button and a song began to play from the alarm clock, which was also a radio and CD player. This female singer's voice was slightly lower pitched, but the voice of the backing singer was clearly the same girl from earlier.
I want to become a singer.
Life in this suburban area was quite peaceful, considering that the neighbors were lively, yet kept to themselves. Len was not one to spend a ton of his spare time outside, aside from the occasional walk through the neighborhood's park. Today was one of those days. It was during walks like these that he could clear his mind of all the troubles of school, breathe fresh air without a care in the world, and relax. Len had been here enough to recall the features from memory. They were nothing too special, the city block-sized park surrounded by trees, most of them ash and maple, with large oak trees marking the corner, leaving gaps barely wide enough to walk through easily. It was beautiful to watch the leaves fall off, especially on a cool, clear autumn night such as this. The center of the park had a large fountain, ornately crafted from stone and decorated with small angels and pond animals. It was like a huge wishing well, complete with tons of change on the bottom. Len secretly wondered how much was lying on the bottom, signs of peoples' wishes.
Surrounding the fountain was a cobblestone walkway, with six wooden benches on three sides each and four on the last. There was something special about the crude and dilapidated state of the park, with its heavily rusted playground, that made it feel pleasant and homely, like a gift from the past.
But today, Len was not appreciative of the scenery, contrary to his usual demeanor. The normally vibrant and energetic blond had more important things to deal with, like the familiar looking teal haired girl sitting next to him under the lone cherry blossom tree, her downcast eyes showing melancholy while the rest of her face had an overjoyed expression.
"I suppose it couldn't hurt," Miku said, plainly. "I taught you a little bit, but I'm nowhere near as good as she is. She seems nice, though."
"Thanks, Miku. I promise I'll do my best! It's always been nice to just sit and talk to you. Promise me you'll visit."
As the two chatted for a solid two hours, nightfall came and the time came to say goodbye. Miku was famous now. Her demo of World is Mine resulted in her signing a recording contract, but she had to move across the country. It had only been a week since she sent the demo, but now she had to say goodbye to her best friend.
Is it too late to dream? he thought.
After school the next day, Len was about to catch the bus home when someone pulled him back by his shoulders, spun him around, and walked him to an area with few people. Normally, this would be suspicious, but Len didn't resist at all. It wasn't until he was already in the black SUV, the person behind him having got in and the vehicle already moving that his suspicions were confirmed.
The one who pulled him aside removed her sunglasses, wig, and black sweatshirt, revealing a familiar green haired girl.
"Len?" a voice asked. Len recognized it as the second singer's.
"Gumi? What a surprise!" he replied, happy to see her.
"I have a little surprise for you," Gumi responded cheerfully.
"Where are you taking me?" Len asked inquisitively.
"Just to my house."
A few minutes later, they reached their destination and walked up to her front door. Len knew Gumi had prepared something exciting and he was anxious to find out what.
"Close your eyes," Gumi said softly. A blindfold covered Len's eyes before she helped him through the front door.
Standing in front of him was another girl. She looked nearly identical to him, save for a few feminine features, but what seemed to be his reflection was his favorite singer standing in front of him.
"Hi, I'm Rin Kagamine. It's nice to meet you!"
"Surprise!" Gumi announced.
What? THE Rin Kagamine is here? I don't know what to say! Is there a way to disappear? Len instinctively hid behind Gumi, grabbing her shoulders and trying to appear as small as possible.
"I'm sure you're wondering what's going on. Remember how you wanted to find someone to teach you to sing?" Len's already racing heart beat even faster. "If you want, I can be your teacher. I guarantee you will become a famous singer, but you must listen to my orders absolutely. This also means that you will live with me at my house at no cost. Sound good?"
"Yes!" Len screamed immediately, loud enough to startle Rin.
It took a few seconds for Len to realize the magnitude of what he had agreed to. His idol, the most popular singer and richest woman alive, training him personally in her own mansion? He nearly fainted.
Of course, this meant that his parents wouldn't have to pay for his living expenses. The mansion she lived alone in would be more than enough space for the two of them and the cost meant nothing to her. While both of their parents might have objections, the only real issue was the awkward conversation convincing them that two teenagers, especially around this age, living together in a teacher-student relationship was not suspicious. He would have jumped at the opportunity for a romantic relationship with her, but this was not the time for that.
Len's racing thoughts slowed a bit. This is going so well, I'll be a star in no time! Wait, how much do I really know about Rin? Well, Rin was a straight-A student, always wears a white bow, is the same age as me, and... I kind of don't know much about her personally. She seems nice on stage and I guess I can trust her. If there is a God, please don't let me embarrass myself in front of Rin.
Hi everyone! Any feedback you have about this story is welcome. Writing really is harder than it seems. I put this story in "Romance/Drama" even though it doesn't exactly fit that descriptor right now; it will as the story continues.